Is Imran going to jail? Al Jazeera

 

Is Imran going to jail? Al Jazeera #TopTime Blogger

 

(PTI) The case against the Chairman and former Prime Minister of the country, Imran Khan, has raised another level of political tension in the country. The police have booked him under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for making 'accusatory' comments at a public gathering.

Due to the case, a wide discussion has started about what is happening in front of Imran. But whether Imran has to serve jail time - now that is a matter to be seen. Aljazeera has published an analytical report on this.

 Former Chief Justice of Sindh High Court Shaikh Usmani said that Imran Khan can be sentenced to six months imprisonment. Participating in a program of Geo News on Monday on current affairs, he also said that if Imran is found guilty in this case, then he will be declared ineligible to contest the elections for the next five years.

Imran is yet to comment on the case. His lawyers applied for anticipatory bail in the Islamabad High Court on Monday. The court granted him interim bail till Thursday. On this day, he can appear in this court of the capital.

The party organized a protest rally in Islamabad last Saturday evening against the arrest and remand torture of PTI Chairman's Chief of Staff Shahbaz Gill. In his speech at the rally, Imran allegedly "threatened" state officials and vowed to take legal action against them.

 In the rally, Imran said, 'The police tortured Gill in custody. When I asked the Islamabad police, tell me what you did with Gill. I was told, we didn't do anything.' We are forced to obey orders; Imran said. Islamabad Police condemned his comments. They have also warned of legal action if anyone threatens the police and makes false allegations.

In a press conference last Sunday, the country's Home Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the government is looking into the options of filing a case against the former prime minister for giving 'provocative speech'. Following this, the police issued a formal complaint against him at night.

Based on the testimony of Magistrate Ali Javed, the police issued a statement against Imran. He claimed to have been in that rally on Saturday. Javed said he heard Imran Khan criticizing the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and a judge.

 If convicted on the new charges, Imran could face several years in prison. He has been charged under the country's sedition law for threatening police officers and judges. This law was made in continuation of the British colonial law.

Imran Khan was ousted last April after losing a no-confidence motion in Parliament. Since then, he has been holding one rally after another to increase public involvement. In these gatherings, Imran made explosive comments about his political opponents, state institutions, police, especially the so-called 'neutrals'.

According to criminal law expert Haider Rasool, the former prime minister must appear in court on Thursday under the Anti-Terrorism Act. The case cannot be dismissed on mere merit (legal admissibility). He has to appear in court, submit his bail bond. He is likely to be granted additional bail for a few more days. Imran may be formally arrested if the court rejects the bail plea. Imran's lawyer Faisal Farid Chowdhury said that the statement will be dismissed immediately. Because, it is the previous orders of the Supreme Court
clear violation. Is Imran going to jail? Al Jazeera ,toptime blogger