The Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan has declared the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case as "unlawful" and directed him to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday. The top court has directed the Islamabad police chief to ensure the security of the former premier.
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, and Justice Athar Minallah resumed hearing Imran's plea against his arrest. The court had earlier directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to present Imran before the court.
The PTI chief was presented in court amid tight security after 5:45 pm. Imran asked his supporters to remain peaceful and assured them that he was unaware of any unrest. Justice Bandial allowed ten people to stay with Imran over the night.
The SC has stated that Imran will be kept at the Police Lines Guest House but would not be considered a prisoner. CJP Bandial said that Imran would stay at the guest house as a guest, and his protection would be the government's responsibility.
The written order of the SC's decision is expected to be released shortly. The case against Imran pertains to the alleged misuse of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government's helicopters and funds for personal use. Imran denies the charges and says that the case is politically motivated.
The decision by the Supreme Court has been welcomed by PTI supporters who have been protesting Imran's arrest. Many have expressed relief that their leader will be released and have praised the judiciary for upholding the rule of law.
This development comes at a time when Pakistan is facing several challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and economic issues. The political situation in the country is also tense, with opposition parties criticizing the government's handling of the situation. The Supreme Court's decision is likely to have far-reaching implications for the country's political landscape.
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