Islamabad, Nov 21: The prospects for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan faded as he was arrested in a protest case just hours after securing bail in an alleged corruption case.
On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted Khan bail in the second Toshakhana case, which involved the purchase of an expensive Bulgari jewelry set at a significantly discounted price. This decision sparked hopes of his imminent release.
However, late Wednesday night, Khan was re-arrested by Rawalpindi police in connection with a protest case filed at the New Town Police Station. The police accused Khan of instigating a protest in Rawalpindi on September 28, despite being incarcerated at Adiala Jail.
The charges against him include violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, defying a government ban on public gatherings, obstructing police duty, damaging police vehicles, and endangering public safety. A police spokesperson confirmed the arrest and stated that a team had been assigned to investigate the case.
Even before the formal arrest, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar dismissed the possibility of Khan’s release, highlighting that the former prime minister faced charges in eight other cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence. He stressed that Khan would need to secure bail in these cases before being released.
Khan faces a total of nearly two dozen cases across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. According to Islamabad police, 62 cases have been registered against him in the capital, while his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claims that an additional 54 cases have been filed in Punjab province.
In another development, an accountability court held a hearing on the GBP 190 million case at Adiala Jail, where Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were informed that they had not yet submitted responses to the questionnaires issued to them. Bibi was granted an exemption from attending the court on medical grounds, and the hearing was adjourned until November 22.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court dismissed a petition filed by Khan’s sister, Noreen Niazi, seeking bail for her brother in all cases against him in Punjab and Islamabad. The court noted that bail petitions must be personally filed by the defendant.
Since Khan’s ousting in April 2022, dozens of cases have been registered against him, which his party claims are politically motivated
