ISLAMABAD:Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday termed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan as illegal and ordered his immediate release.
The decision came after a three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah heared Khan’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
After the production, the SC heared Imran’s stance and ordered him to stay at the Police Lines Guest House but not as a prisoner. The court directed Imran to ask party workers to stay calm. At the court amid presence of media, Imran said that no harm should be caused to the country and asked his supporters to remain peaceful.
The apex court also directed the Islamabad police chief to ensure the former PM’s security. However, Imran was directed to appear in Islamabad High Court tomorrow morning (Friday).
The legal team of Imran Khan led by Hamid Khan appeared before the court in the morning. Hamid Khan in his arguments before the SC said that Imran Khan came to IHC for bail but he was arrested from the court premises.
My client was in the room for biometrics from where he was arrested by the personnel after breaking into the room. SC bench head, CJP Justice Umar Ata Bandial asked how a person can be arrested from the premises of the court. People come to courts for justice, he added.
He asked how many people came to arrest Imran Khan following which it was replied that 80 to 100 Rangers personnel entered the court premises and arrested him. Khan was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case Tuesday as he appeared in Islamabad High Court.
Earlier in the day, the court ordered National Accountability Bureau and Islamabad IGP to produce Imran Khan within hour before the court by 4:30 PM following which the authorities presented the PTI chief before the three-member bench at around 5:40pm, an hour late. However, the police said security arrangements caused delay in his appearance before the court.
Following the arrest of Imran Khan, countrywide protests held were held for two days. The charged people destroyed several public and private properties. Hundreds of PTI workers have been jailed along the top leaders. The violent protests created panic in Karachi, Lahore and other major cities. The Internet services were made slow while social media platforms Facebook and YouTube were also shut.
