Imran Khan Arrest News Live Updates: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, 11 May, termed former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust Case as 'unlawful and illegal', and ordered that he be released immediately.
Subsequently, Khan left the court for the Police Lines Guest House under the inspector general's custody, a few moments after he was ordered to appear before the Islamabad High Court at 11am on Friday, 12 May.
Imran Khan had been arrested outside the Islamabad High Court and sent to the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) remand custody for 8 days in the Al-Qadir Trust land deal case. He was also indicted in the Toshakhana corruption case by a Pakistan court on the same day.
"Though Imran Khan was released from custody, he will be under protection of security forces in a safe location in the capital, Islamabad. He is to appear before the Islamabad high court on Friday," Khan's lawyer said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday slammed the NAB for the way it arrested Khan and said, "National Accountability Bureau has disrespected the court."
For the third consecutive day on Thursday, several regions of Pakistan, including Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore, saw violence after Imran Khan was taken into custody, and several demonstrations have been planned throughout the day, the PTI party said.
What is the Al-Qadir Trust case? Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are under investigation by NAB for a settlement involving a property tycoon that reportedly resulted in a loss of 190 million pounds to the national treasury.
What is the Toshakhana case? Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are under investigation by NAB for a settlement involving a property tycoon that reportedly resulted in a loss of 190 million pounds to the national treasury.
A three-member bench of the Pakistan Supreme Court heard a plea against Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case and slammed the NAB over its process of arrest, granting Khan relief.
When the chief justice asked him to condemn violence by protestors, Khan distanced himself from the bloody protests by saying that he was in custody.
Addressing a press conference, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has accused PTI Chairman Imran Khan of misusing his authority during his tenure as the Prime Minister.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority's suspension of mobile broadband across the country is set to last an indefinite period, under order from the Interior Ministry.
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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's Fiery Press Conference
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has raised concerns about the Supreme Court's decision to nullify the arrest of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, questioning what he sees as the court's "double standards of justice," ARY news reported
Following the court's order, Imran Khan, who was arrested at the Islamabad High Court premises on Tuesday, was transferred to the Police Lines' guest house in Islamabad.
During a press conference in Islamabad, Khawaja Asif stated that in the past, the top leadership of major political parties had been arrested, but they were not provided the facility of a guest house.
He expressed skepticism about such verdicts, questioning how long the nation would be deceived by them.
Khawaja Asif further claimed that all the violence across the country had been instigated by Imran Khan, but he had not been held accountable.
Referring to the PTI's history of violence, Asif mentioned the attack on PTV's building during the 2014 dharna (sit-in), which was carried out under the supervision of Imran Khan and the current President, Dr. Arif Alvi.
PTI Workers Celebrate Across Pakistan
PTI workers distributed sweets at the residence of former Pakistan PM and Imran Khan in Zaman Park, shortly after the Supreme Court termed his arrest “illegal."
PTI workers were seen celebrating across the country after three days of severe protests which saw widespread violence, destruction of property and loss of life.
Former special assistant to the prime minister on youth affairs Usman Dar called on the party supporters to take to the streets to express solidarity and gratitude to the top court.
Pakistani actress Mishi Khan thanked the top court, specifically mentioning Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial for giving a "fair and right verdict".
Imran Khan Leaves Pakistan SC, Will Remain at Police Lines Guest House Till Friday Hearing
Khan left the court for the Police Lines Guest House under the Inspector General's custody, a few moments after he was ordered to appear before the Islamabad High Court at 11am on Friday, 12 May.
'Finally Sense Prevailed': Ex-Wife Jemima Goldsmith Reacts
Imran Khan’s ex-wife Jemima Goldsmith reacted to the Supreme Court’s order finding the former prime minister’s arrest unlawful and said, “finally sense has prevailed.”