ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan's bail, in a case pertaining to protests against the ECP's decision to disqualify him, was extended by an anti-terrorism court on Monday.

An anti-terrorism court on Monday approved extension in interim bail of PTI Chairman Imran Khan till Jan 10 in a case of alleged violence during protests.

As the anti-terrorism court judge took up the case, the former prime minister’s lawyer, Dr. Babar Awan, submitted a petition seeking exemption of his client from appearance in the case on medical grounds. Granting Imran Khan exemption the court extended the bail until January 10 and adjourned proceedings until then.

The PTI chief, Secretary-General Asad Umar and dozens of party workers were booked in October last for alleged violence during the protests in Islamabad. Violence sparked following the Election Commission of Pakistan s (ECP) decision to disqualify Imran Khan as a member of the National Assembly. The case was registered at the Sagjani police station under various sections including that of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The top election body, in its ruling, stated that Imran Khan presented a false affidavit and was found involved in corrupt practices. The decision was unanimously taken by the ECP s five-member bench.

A five-member bench of the ECP had declared Imran Khan's National Assembly seat vacant as it unanimously decided that he had misled officials about the gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his tenure as the prime minister.

The written ruling had read that the PTI chief had “intentionally and deliberately” violated the provisions contained in sections 137, 167 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017 as he submitted a “false statement” and “incorrect declaration” to the ECP in the details of his assets and liabilities filed by him for the year 2020-21.

It had added that the PTI chief had attracted disqualification under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution read with Sections 137 and 173 of the Elections Act, 2017.

“Consequently he ceases to be a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and his seat has become vacant accordingly,” it had read.

The PTI supporters and workers, led by local party leaders, had protested against the verdict on major and link roads in cities and towns, burning tyres, shouting slogans and at places clashing with police.

There were clashes between police and PTI supporters in Rawalpindi’s Faizabad Interchange, where reportedly one protester was injured. The police resorted to heavy teargas shelling to prevent the protesters from entering Islamabad.

The protests were called by senior PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, who said that the party would challenge the ECP decision in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and urged people to take to the streets “for their rights”.

Soon after the announcement, PTI workers blocked roads in many cities. The reports of roads and highways closure in various cities created a state of fear and uncertainty among the people.

In a video message, released after he was disqualified, Imran had said that he did not want the party workers to run into any trouble and had called off the protests by his supporters, telling his party’s workers to focus on the “long march” on Islamabad that would be “largest protest movement” in the country.

Nevertheless, a case was registered against the PTI Chairman at Sangjani police station after protests erupted after news broke that Imran had been disqualified by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in October.