LAHORE - A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench Thursday dismissed the petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan for protective bail in a terrorism case registered with Islamabad Police against him on charges of vandalism and violation of section 144 during the protests, following his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana case over non-prosecution. The division bench comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi heard the petition of Imran Khan. As the bench resumed proceedings for the second time, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi observed that the bench had given an opportunity to Imran Khan to ensure his appearance before the bench at 6.30 pm. However, neither Imran Khan nor his counsel appeared before the court at the given time, he said and added that the bench did not have any other option except to dismiss the petition for protective bail. At this stage, several lawyers, who were present in the court, requested the bench to wait for some time. However, the bench declined the request and dismissed the petition of the PTI chairman over non-appearance. Earlier, the bench took up the matter at 5.00pm and after hearing initial arguments of Imran Khan’s counsel, the bench had granted an opportunity to the PTI chairman to appear before the bench at 6.30 pm. The bench observed that it did not encourage the grant of protective bail relief without appearance, adding that Imran Khan could come in a wheelchair. Imran’s counsel had pleaded with the court for granting protective bail relief to his client without appearance. He submitted that the doctors had advised complete bed rest to Imran Khan whereas the party was also not ready to bring him to the court. He pleaded with the court to grant protective bail without appearance. The PTI chairman had approached the LHC for protective bail after an Islamabad anti-terrorism court dismissed his pre-arrest bail petition, a day earlier, in a case registered by Sangjani police against him on charges of vandalism and violation of section 144 during the protests, following his disqualification by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in the Toshakhana case, on the grounds of non-appearance. The Sangjani police station booked the PTI chairman and other leaders in a terrorism case over alleged vandalism and violation of section 144 during the protests.