Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan, has returned home to his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park after being arrested on corruption charges, which the Supreme Court declared illegal. He took a road route to reach his Lahore residence in the early hours of Saturday.
Before returning home, Imran Khan appeared at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) where he was granted bail in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. His bail period is two weeks, until Monday, which includes charges relating to the violent riots after his initial detention. He also obtained bail until May 22 in the Zille Shah murder case and was barred from arrest until May 15 in three terrorism cases.
Since his removal from power in April of the previous year, Imran Khan faces multiple legal allegations. He has accused the current coalition government of colluding with top generals to remove him, and he alleges their involvement in the assassination attempt in November, where he was injured by a gunshot wound to the leg in Wazirabad.
After being granted bail, Imran Khan stayed at the IHC for several hours, waiting for his written order to avoid the potential of re-arrest. At first, a police officer informed him that he couldn’t leave the IHC building, but the deadlock was resolved by senior police officers, allowing Imran Khan to finally leave.
His arrest at the IHC on May 9 sparked violent protests across the country, but the Supreme Court nullified his arrest and ordered his release. Imran Khan then appeared at the IHC to seek bail in pending cases against him and was successful.
As Imran Khan continues to face legal challenges, his allegations against the government and military are shaping Pakistan’s political landscape with the general elections approaching.