Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Released on Bail for Two Weeks
Islamabad High Court granted bail to Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan, days after his arrest over corruption charges, sparking a deadly outpouring of anger against the country’s security institutions.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan left court on Friday under tight police protection to return to his house in Lahore. Before leaving, he said he would be arrested again, despite a court order barring authorities from arresting him on any charges until Monday.
“I know I will again be illegally arrested, this time outside the High Court, my simple message is, how am I supposed to control what will happen afterward?” Khan told reporters.
Imran Khan called on his supporters to remain peaceful and respect the constitution while protesting – adding he would not be responsible for the protestors’ reactions.
PTI Chief’s supporters gathered outside Khan’s house in Lahore early Saturday. Video showed people cheering and throwing flower petals onto Khan’s car as it drove through the crowd, and supporters setting off fireworks.
The former prime minister was granted a two-week temporary release on bail on Friday, one day after Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled Khan’s arrest unlawful.
After his arrest, Imran Khan had accused the country’s army chief of his arrest. “There is only one man taking actions against me and that is the army chief,” Khan told reports in court on Friday, referring to army chief General Syed Asim Munir.
Imran Khan has made allegations the Pakistani government worked with the United States in a conspiracy to remove him from office, claims rejected by both parties.
Following Khan’s arrest, Pakistan witnessed unprecedented scenes throughout the country. Crowds broke into army properties and directly challenged a usually untouchable force that has long sat at the apex of power in Pakistan.
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