LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has declared the notification issued by the Interior Ministry to produce PTI founder Imran Khan in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) via video link as null and void.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh issued a detailed written decision on the petition regarding the production of Imran Khan in the ATC through video link.
The court declared the notification of the Interior Ministry to produce him in the ATC through video link during physical remand as illegal and said that under the terrorism laws, its notification cannot be issued individually.
The decision said that the Punjab Interior Ministry issued the notification to produce him through video link without the approval of the cabinet.
Under the Anti-Terrorism Act, crimes are extremely dangerous, but the Constitution talks about the fundamental rights of the accused. Presenting the accused through video link during physical remand can affect fundamental rights.
The decision states that there have been several amendments to the ATA Act, but there has been no change in Section 21E of physical remand.
During the trial, the accused can be presented in court via video link, but the accused cannot be presented via video link on physical remand.
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The decision states that the court declares the notification of the Provincial Ministry of Interior dated July 15, 2024 to present PTI founder Imran Khan via video link null and void and the application of the PTI founder is approved.
PTI founder Imran Khan had challenged the notification of appearance via video link in the 12 cases related May 9 in the LHC.
