Islamabad – Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has been granted bail by an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad. The court ruling allows Khan to remain free until June 8 in eight cases related to the violence that took place at the court complex in March earlier this year.
This development comes amidst a wave of legal challenges faced by Imran Khan since his removal from power in April of last year. It is reported that he is currently facing nearly 150 legal cases. Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was also granted protective bail until May 31 in a corruption case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court in Islamabad.
The charges against the couple stem from allegations of accepting a property gift in exchange for providing benefits to a real estate tycoon for the construction of a private university. Imran Khan firmly denies these accusations and maintains that neither he nor his wife engaged in any wrongdoing.
The recent crackdown on supporters of Pakistan’s top opposition leader has added to the tensions surrounding Khan’s legal battles. Following Khan’s arrest earlier this month, thousands of his supporters took to the streets, engaging in violent protests and attacking public property and military installations. The security forces were forced to intervene, resulting in clashes that claimed the lives of ten people. Khan was subsequently released on the orders of the country’s Supreme Court.
Imran Khan has been actively campaigning against the government of his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alleging that his removal from power was illegal. He has been demanding early elections as a means to address what he perceives as an unjust political situation.
Upon receiving protection from arrest until June 8 by the Islamabad court, Khan and his wife immediately proceeded to Rawalpindi to appear before the NAB court. The ongoing legal proceedings continue to captivate the nation’s attention as the fate of the former prime minister hangs in the balance.
As the situation unfolds, political observers and the general public await further developments in Imran Khan’s legal battles, which could significantly impact the political landscape of Pakistan in the coming months.