Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been granted bail following a Supreme Court ruling, according to his legal team. Khan was arrested on charges of contempt of court and inciting violence, which he denies.
Khan’s arrest had led to widespread protests and unrest in the country, with supporters of the politician taking to the streets to demand his release. The Supreme Court had initially denied bail to Khan, but later granted it after his lawyers made a fresh application.
Khan is a popular figure in Pakistan, having served as Prime Minister from 2018 to 2021. He was removed from office after a vote of no confidence in the country’s National Assembly.
The charges against Khan relate to his alleged involvement in the 2020 anti-government protests in Pakistan. Khan had been a vocal critic of the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan (no relation), accusing it of corruption and incompetence.
The protests had been sparked by the arrest of opposition leader Maryam Nawaz, who is the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Sharif had been removed from office in 2017 on corruption charges.
Khan’s arrest had been widely condemned by human rights groups and opposition politicians, who accused the government of using the law to silence dissent. The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to Khan has been seen as a victory for democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan.
However, the case against Khan is far from over. He is due to appear in court again later this year to face charges of inciting violence and disrupting public order. The outcome of that case will have far-reaching implications for the future of Pakistani politics and the country’s fragile democracy.