Pakistan: Supreme Court orders Imran Khan's immediate release after calling his arrest "illegal"
The court’s decision comes amid widespread violence between supporters of the former PM and Pakistan’s security forces, which left at least 12 dead.
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the Pakistan Supreme Court Thursday ordered the “immediate release” of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party chief Imran Khan, labelling his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case as “unlawfull”.
The move comes two days after his arrest led to large-scale violence across the country.
The protesters belonging to Khan’s party vandalised military installations, including the seat of power in Pakistan — the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army.
The Pakistani Supreme Court also directed him to approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The directive was issued by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial.
Earlier in the day, a three-justice bench, including the CJP, told the probe agency National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present Khan in court. The NAB has got eight days custody of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief. The Pakistani top court said it was taking the matter “very seriously” and subsequently, Khan was presented before it in the evening.
