In a major relief to former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted him protective bail for a period of two weeks in a corruption case. The court has also issued an order prohibiting authorities from arresting Khan in any case registered anywhere in the country until Monday. The decision comes after a series of legal proceedings and a subsequent declaration by the Supreme Court that Khan’s arrest earlier this week was “invalid and unlawful.”
The IHC, consisting of three different benches, heard multiple cases filed against Khan and provided him with much-needed respite. In the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, a special bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz granted Khan protective bail for two weeks. This particular case revolves around the establishment of Al-Qadir University for Sufism, with allegations of embezzling Rs 50 billion from the national treasury.
Another petition filed by Khan sought details of all cases filed against him and requested bail. The IHC, in response, granted bail to Khan in all cases filed against him since his arrest on May 9. The court provided him with protective bail until May 17 for cases filed after his arrest. During the hearing, Khan expressed his lack of awareness regarding the violence associated with the cases but condemned all incidents of violence related to his arrest.
The IHC also emphasized the need for foolproof security for Khan and ordered the authorities to ensure his safety. Furthermore, the court accepted Khan’s protective bail in the Zile Shah murder case, related to the killing of a PTI supporter during a police raid on Khan’s residence in Lahore. Khan was granted protective bail in this case until May 22.
The court’s decision effectively shields Khan from arrest in any case until Monday, providing a blanket protection against further legal action. Khan’s lawyer, Shoaib Shaheen, clarified that the bail applies to all cases and locations, except for his appearance before the Lahore High Court on Monday.
While the court’s ruling brought relief to Khan, it triggered protests from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. PML-N announced countrywide rallies in major cities to protest Khan’s release, following the directive of their London-based leader, Nawaz Sharif.
Imran Khan’s arrest earlier in the week had sparked widespread protests across Pakistan, leading to the deployment of the Army in several provinces. The IHC’s decision comes in the wake of Khan’s warning of countrywide unrest if he were to be arrested again.
With the protective bail granted by the Islamabad High Court, Imran Khan can now focus on addressing the legal proceedings against him while enjoying temporary respite from potential arrest. The coming days will shed more light on the implications of these developments for the former prime minister and the overall political landscape of Pakistan.