Relief for Imran Khan as Supreme Court Orders his Immediate Release
Imran Khan's Arrest in Al-Qadir Trust Case Violates Judicial Sanctity, says Pakistan Supreme Court
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11-05-2023 : Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was arrested, and the Pakistan Supreme Court ruled that his arrest was “illegal” and ordered his release “immediately” in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Khan was also told by the court to go back to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). A convoy of 15 trucks carrying Khan was brought to the supreme court under tight protection. He was shown more than an hour after the court had ordered the authorities to do so at 4:30 pm. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the IHC should hear the case the following day, and “You will have to accept whatever the high court decides.” The court’s directives came after Khan’s arrest from the premises of the IHC, which the CJP termed a “mighty disgrace” to the country’s judicial establishment.
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Hamid Khan, informed the court that Imran Khan had come to the IHC to secure an extension in his interim bail. When Khan was getting his verification done, Pakistan Rangers personnel broke into the room and arrested him, Hamid Khan added. The judges inquired about the case in which Khan was seeking a bail extension and questioned why NAB took the law into its hands. They also expressed their concerns about the disrespect shown towards the court’s sanctity and the safety of individuals inside a court. The court declared that no one could be arrested from the high court, Supreme Court, or accountability court and that Khan’s arrest violated judicial sanctity.
The PTI had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the IHC’s decision calling Khan’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) “legal.” On Tuesday, the IHC termed the arrest of the PTI chairman “legal” in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Khan has been embroiled in dozens of cases pending since he was ousted last year as the prime minister. His legal team informed the court that he is on the “target list of terrorists,” and his security was withdrawn. NAB’s investigation officer wasn’t present at the time of arrest, they added.
