Islamabad: Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday declared former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest as “illegal” and ordered his immediate release.
The top court’s order came shortly after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief was presented in court. According to Geo TV, Imran was brought in a convoy of 15 vehicles amid extremely strict security and the bench resumed hearing of the case only after the courtroom was closed.
The 70-year-old Imran was arrested in a corruption case on May 9 on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) when he was at Islamabad High Court.
Pakistani paramilitary Rangers barged into a room of the high court where Imran was present for biometrics before hearing of a corruption case and nabbed him.
Imran told the Supreme Court that he was “abducted” from the high court premises and beaten with sticks.
The three-member bench of the top court — comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah — expressed anger at the way Imran was taken into custody from the premises of the Islamabad High Court.
“We believe that Imran Khan’s arrest was illegal,” the chief justice said, terming the arrest from court premises as a disgrace to Pakistan’s judicial establishment, Geo TV reported.
CJP Bandial asked Imran to issue an appeal to his supporters that they stop the violent protests across the country and ensure peace in the country.
Imran has been ordered to appear in Islamabad High Court tomorrow.
There are multiple cases against Imran, who was ousted as PM last year.
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