Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan from custody after his lawyers challenged the legality of his arrest on corruption charges. The three-judge bench in Islamabad ruled that Khan’s arrest was invalid, sparking celebrations among his supporters, who had staged nationwide protests earlier in the week.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial instructed Khan to cooperate with the National Accountability Bureau, which is investigating the corruption charges against him. The court also asked Khan to condemn the violent protests that had erupted following his arrest, which had led to calls for the deployment of troops to restore order.
Khan, who was being held at a police compound in Islamabad, was indicted for unlawfully selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. He was also facing a separate corruption case related to property. The former international cricket star and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are embroiled in several legal battles, including the Toshakhana gift-selling case.
The Toshakhana case centres on a government department that stores and displays gifts bestowed on officials. Although gifts below a certain value can be kept, officials must declare all gifts, and in some cases, they can buy back more expensive presents at a discount. Khan and his wife allegedly received millions of dollars in lavish gifts during foreign trips, including luxury watches, jewelry, designer handbags, and perfumes, which they are accused of failing to declare or selling for profit.
The Election Commission of Pakistan has already barred Khan from holding public office until the next election due to the allegations of gift-selling. Khan and his supporters claim that the legal proceedings are politically motivated.
Khan’s release comes after he was ordered to be detained for at least eight more days, raising concerns about further unrest. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling has resolved the matter for now, and Khan’s supporters celebrated his release by dancing outside the court building in Islamabad.
