An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday granted interim bail to former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in eight cases.

The former prime minister arrived at the Islamabad judicial complex ahead of his appearance before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Rawalpindi in the £190 million settlement case.

AC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas heard the pre-arrest bail petitions. Despite court orders, the prosecutor opposing the former premier’s interim bail extension stated that he will not cooperate with the investigation.

The accused is supposed to join the investigation after receiving security interim bail, but Imran Khan claims his leg is injured and he cannot participate in the investigation.

In response, Salman Safdar, the former prime minister’s counsel, stated in court that his client has been charged in over 160 cases and that they are willing to cooperate with the investigation.

The investigation officer is unwilling to leave his office, according to Safdar, who added that Imran Khan will respond to the questionnaire within three days.

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After hearing arguments from both sides, the court extended Imran Khan’s interim bail in eight cases until June 8. The judge also directed the JIT to inform the court of how they intend to involve Imran Khan in the investigation.

Prior to the arrival of the PTI chief, security was beefed up at the judicial complex and the NAB office, and a large contingent of police was deployed to deal with any untoward incident.

Imran Khan: Ready to participate in the investigation.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan stated before the anti-terrorism court that he is willing to participate in the investigation but would prefer a JIT based on the LHC verdict.

“I put my life at risk every time I leave the house,” the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman said, adding that Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah had confirmed a life threat to him.