New Delhi: Pakistan’s former premier Imran Khan got a reprieve on Thursday as the Supreme Court ruled his arrest in a corruption case was unlawful and ordered his release, though he would continue to be held in protective custody at a police facility till his case comes up in the Islamabad high court on Friday.
The ruling issued by a three-judge headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial added another twist to the political crisis triggered by Khan’s arrest on Tuesday in connection with allegations of money laundering. Supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had organised violent protests in cities across the country that targeted several military facilities and left 10 people dead.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was immediately mired in controversy. Even before Bandial issued the order, Khan’s lawyer purportedly told a journalist in a recorded phone conversation how the apex court would rule in the matter, giving very specific details. Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif accused the judiciary of “double standards”, saying it provided relief to Khan within two days of his detention while other arrested political leaders had languished in jail for months.
Khan’s supporters in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar welcomed the top court’s decision and organised impromptu celebrations. Authorities had rounded up close to 2,000 workers and supporters of the PTI in a crackdown, and party leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Fawad Chaudhry were among those detained.
{{/usCountry}}Khan’s supporters in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar welcomed the top court’s decision and organised impromptu celebrations. Authorities had rounded up close to 2,000 workers and supporters of the PTI in a crackdown, and party leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Fawad Chaudhry were among those detained.
{{/usCountry}}During the hearing in the Supreme Court, the bench said Khan, 70, should be kept at the Islamabad Police Lines’ guesthouse but not treated as a prisoner. Police were directed by the court to ensure Khan’s security and provide him the requisite facilities.
The top court further ruled that Khan was no longer in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the anti-graft body investigating allegations that he and his wife obtained billions of rupees and vast tracts of land from the firm of real estate tycoon Malik Riaz for laundering ₹50 billion that was returned to Pakistan by the UK’s National Crime Agency after a probe against Riaz.
“Imran Khan will stay at the [police] guesthouse as a guest [and] his protection will be the government’s responsibility,” Bandial was quoted as saying by the media. Bandial urged Khan to tell his supporters to remain peaceful. The government had contended that Khan’s release would encourage further violence.
The top court issued the order in response to a petition by the PTI challenging Khan’s arrest. The bench also said Khan should be presented in the Islamabad high court on Friday for the hearing of cases against him. Bandial also suggested that Khan should begin a dialogue with his political opponents, even if he doesn’t like them, to ensure peace in the country.
Khan, who was ousted as premier in a parliamentary vote of confidence last year, appealed to supporters to remain calm and said his party only wanted fresh elections. He also contended that he was unaware of the violent protests and didn’t want anarchy in Pakistan. “How am I responsible for the protests?” Khan said.
Addressing a news conference shortly after the Supreme Court gave its ruling, defence minister Khawaja Asif, a close aide of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, decried the ruling and rubbished Khan’s claims that he had been hit while in custody and that he was unaware of the violent protests across the country.
Asif pointed to the top court asking about facilities to be provided to Khan and said: “There are double standards everywhere, in everyday life, in justice...How long will the people continue to be fooled?”
He referred to a video message issued by Khan before his arrest and accused the former premier of preaching violence and inciting supporters. The Supreme Court should have taken suo moto notice of Khan’s supporters defacing monuments dedicated to military personnel killed in wars and attacking army installations and facilities such as the corps commander’s house in Lahore, Asif said.
“Before the PTI, only the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had attacked the [army’s] General Headquarters,” Asif said. He also referred to audio recordings that appeared in the local media on Thursday of PTI leaders purportedly discussing attacks on military installations during protests and questioned why the judiciary hadn’t taken notice of this matter.