Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday declared in a three-page order that former PM and PTI chief Imran Khan’s arrest on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises was invalid and unlawful. The court extended extraordinary relief to Khan and gave directions to release him.
Khan was arrested on the IHC premises by paramilitary forces on Tuesday in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case, in which he and his wife allegedly obtained money and land illegally. The arrest sparked violent protests across the country.
Court Requests PTI Chief to Condemn Violence
The bench of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Athar Minallah said that the relief given to Khan on the apex court’s directions was extraordinary and had never been given to any political leader.
“The execution of the warrant violated Khan’s right of access to justice and the sanctity and safety of the court as he had already surrendered to the court for seeking judicial relief against the action taken by [the National Accountability Bureau] in the Al Qadir Trust case,” the bench said in its order.
The CJP added that it was the court’s “request and desire” that the PTI chief condemn the violence that broke out in the country following his arrest.
“We need to restore peace and calm in the country to let the constitutional machinery function smoothly,” the CJP remarked.
#Pakistan🇵🇰 OFFICIAL STATEMENT. The International Human Rights Foundation (#IHRF) welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to declare the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan illegal. We also call for the immediate release of all PTI workers and supporters who… pic.twitter.com/RjeoLOZnGJ
— International Human Rights Foundation (@Declaracion) May 11, 2023
Government Condemns Release, Security Tightened
The court said that Khan was responsible for placating the charged political atmosphere.
The government has condemned the SC’s decision to release Khan. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the authorities would arrest the PTI chief again.
Section 144, which bans public gatherings, has been imposed in the capital as Khan is set to appear at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) again, and will likely make a speech.
Pakistan’s government deployed the army to stop violent protests that have broken out across the country and left several people dead since the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan https://t.co/UOvRcp6ClD pic.twitter.com/kbLVZ8axQh
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 11, 2023
PTI Distances Itself from Violence
After Khan’s arrest on Tuesday, Pakistan witnessed widespread attacks and protests by PTI supporters. The army and the government have condemned the violence.
Meanwhile, PTI has distanced itself from the violence that engulfed the country following the arrest of the former PM.
“PTI has always discouraged deviance from the Constitution and law. The public reaction after the arrest of Imran Khan is connected to many factors,” it said on Twitter.