ISLAMABAD – Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Chairman Imran Khan was granted bail by Supreme Court of Pakistan after the top court raised concern over the arrest of PTI chief, which triggered nationwide protests.
Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) termed the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case illegal, telling former prime minister to approach Islamabad High Court another time.
The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed hearing a case against PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest after the detained former prime minister was brought to court amid tight security.
PTI chief was taken inside the court via the judges’ gate with high security.
Supreme Court of Pakistan directed National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan by 4:30 pm, two days after the former premier was arrested during a court appearance.
In what is said to be a sigh of relief for the former ruling party, the country’s top court approved the petition filed by Imran Khan’s counsel and issued the directives.
The bench spearheaded by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, comprises Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah, as the court heard Imran Khan’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Imran Khan’s appeal claimed about an imminent threat to his life and liberty of the petitioner and at the outset of the hearing, Hamid Khan represented PTI chief, he informed the court that Imran was in the process of getting his biometrics done when he was detained.
He also lamented that Rangers manhandled Imran Khan and detained him.
Remarks by a 3-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Atta Bandial in PTI's petition against Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case. PTI challenged Islamabad High Court's verdict and argues that Imran Khan's arrest was illegal. #ImranKhan #ImranKhanArrest pic.twitter.com/ZuIKxI6cjD
— Pakistan Observer (@pakobserver) May 11, 2023
During today’s hearing, Chief Justice Bandial remarked as per the high court’s record a petition of the PTI chairman had been filed but it was yet to be fixed for hearing. The country’s top judge mentioned that the antigraft watchdog NAB disgraced the judiciary by making the arrest within the premises of the high court.
The bench lamented that the former premier should have not been held when he was going to surrender, suggesting that it was best to get permission from the high court’s registrar to arrest him.
PTI lawyer then apprised the court to issue an order for the release of Imran Khan, the populist leader whose 8-day physical remand was granted by the accountability court.
BREAKING:— Former prime minister Imran Khan has been arrested by Rangers.
The PTI chairman was taken into custody from the courtroom in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Follow the thread 🧵to know developments regarding Imran Khan's arrest.#ImranKhan #arrest #Rangers pic.twitter.com/x8p6Dr7Z9p
— Pakistan Observer (@pakobserver) May 9, 2023
More to follow…
