A high court in Islamabad has ordered the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was arrested on corruption charges, on two weeks' suspension and bail.
Khan filed a bail petition after the anti-corruption watchdog – National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – had filed a corruption case against the popular opposition leader, reported Anadolu.
Khan's lawyer said the court handed down the verdict on Friday and the verdict was fair. He emphasized "a free man" about Khan.
According to news of NBC, on Thursday, Pakistan's Supreme Court declared that Khan's arrest was unlawful. However, Khan was directed to appear before the Islamabad High Court on Friday which is hearing the bail petition by Khan in the NAB case filed against the former premier and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
The Supreme Court said it would respect whatever the Islamabad court rules on Friday.
The government said Khan would be quickly re-arrested if the Islamabad High Court confirms that the initial arrest was fair.
Fearing the “re-arrest” of Khan, his PTI called for nationwide protests on Friday and urged its workers to reach Islamabad in solidarity with Khan. Reports of clashes between police and PTI workers from around the capital were also received.
The 70-year-old popular opposition leader controversially appeared in court on Tuesday.
After the arrest warrant was issued, Khan's supporters staged protests in various parts of the country. Protesters attacked military facilities, burned vehicles and ambulances, and looted stores.
The authorities then cut off the mobile internet and blocked social media sites.
The government arrested about 3,000 people involved in the incident. According to hospital sources, 7 people died in the protests.
The federal government has deployed military in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces besides Islamabad to contain the situation.
Source: Anadolu Agency - NBC News