Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan has been granted bail in multiple cases by an anti-terrorism court in the capital city of Islamabad. Reports from Tuesday confirm that the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been granted bail until June 8 in eight cases relating to the violent incidents that occurred at the court complex in March earlier this year.
In a separate development, Imran 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 former Prime Minister, who claims to be facing nearly 150 legal cases following his removal from power in April last year, is scheduled to appear before another NAB court in Rawalpindi later today.
The accusations against Imran Khan and his wife involve the acceptance of a property gift with the intention of establishing a private university in exchange for providing benefits to a real estate tycoon. Khan vehemently denies the charge, asserting that neither he nor his wife engaged in any unlawful activities.
These recent developments occur at a time when the authorities have intensified their crackdown on supporters of Pakistan’s prominent opposition leader. In response to Khan’s arrest earlier this month, thousands of individuals staged violent protests, attacking public property as well as military installations. The unrest gradually subsided after Khan’s release, which was ordered by the country’s Supreme Court. Unfortunately, clashes between security forces and protesters resulted in the loss of ten lives.
Imran Khan has been actively campaigning against the government of his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He contends that his removal from power was unlawful and has been calling for early elections. Following the anti-terrorism court’s decision to grant him protection from arrest until June 8, Khan and his wife proceeded to Rawalpindi to attend the NAB court hearing.
These recent bail grants may offer some respite to Imran Khan amidst the mounting legal challenges he faces. As the political landscape continues to evolve, Pakistan remains eager to observe the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings and their potential impact on the country’s political dynamics.