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ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared before the Islamabad High Court today (Friday) in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case, a day after the Supreme Court declared that his imprisonment was “illegal,” sparking fatal protests across the country.
Extraordinary security measures have been put in place in the capital ahead of Imran’s appearance before the high court at 11 a.m. Outside the IHC, police and Frontier Corps (FC) troops are stationed.
Containers have been positioned near police lines on the Srinagar Highway, and a large detachment of police and Ranger personnel have been deployed beneath the Faizabad Bridge, the Srinagar Highway, and the Police Lines.
PTI, on the other hand, stated that “peaceful” supporters would congregate along the Srinagar Highway in Islamabad’s G-13 to show solidarity with the former prime minister. The party further stated that Imran would deliver a speech following his court appearance.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah announced on Thursday that Imran would be arrested again.
“If (Khan) gets bail from the High Court, we will wait for the cancellation of bail and arrest him again,” Sanaullah told private television.
SC term arrest ‘unlawful’
A day earlier, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan’s arrest was declared “illegal” by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, only minutes after PTI chief arrived at the court after a three-member bench ordered the authorities to present him before the court.
While hearing the former prime minister’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, a three-member bench comprised of Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah, together with the CJP, called Imran Khan’s arrest from IHC premises “illegal” and ordered his immediate release.
“Your arrest was invalid, so the entire process must be reversed,” Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial told Khan during a hearing in Islamabad on Thursday.
The Supreme Court ordered Imran Khan to remain at the Police Lines Guest House but not as a prisoner, and urged the Islamabad police commander to safeguard the former Prime Minister’s safety. He was summoned to the Islamabad High Court on Friday morning.
Since being deposed in April, Khan has fought a tumultuous campaign for snap elections, launching unprecedented attacks on Pakistan’s government and powerful military, which he blames for deposing him.
Imran Khan’s detention
On Tuesday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) detained former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Rangers officers acting on a warrant issued by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) apprehended PTI head from the premises of Islamabad High Court, where the former premier had gone to seek bail in various charges filed against him.
Later, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the former premier and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman’s arrest ‘legitimate.’
Justice Aamer Farooq, president Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), heard the case challenging the arrest of PTI president. The court also issued contempt of court notices to the Interior Secretary and the Inspector General of Police in Islamabad.
