A Pakistani court granted post-arrest bail on Wednesday to former prime minister Imran Khan in the Toshakhana 2 or state treasury case, ordering his release if not wanted in any other cases.
The case revolves around allegations that Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, misappropriated state gifts during his tenure as prime minister.
Filed in July, the case involves a jewelry set valued at over €380,000, reportedly gifted to the former first lady by a foreign dignitary during Khan's term from 2018 to 2022.
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The couple is accused of undervaluing the gift and purchasing it from the state repository at a reduced price.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered Khan to submit two surety bonds of Rs1 million each. The court cautioned that any violation of bail terms could result in its cancellation.
A torn paper with a picture of former prime minister Imran Khan lies on the floor of a polling station after polls closed, during the general election, in Lahore, Pakistan, February 8, 2024.
REUTERS
Will he be released?
The former PM remains in custody due to pending cases linked to the May 9 unrest.
Faisal Chaudhry, Imran Khan's lawyer, told the media that the former prime minister is not detained in any case falling under the jurisdiction of Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
However, Imran Khan has not been granted bail in the May 9 cases pending in Lahore. Police officials further claim that the former premier still faces 15 to 20 cases in which he has yet to obtain bail.
Khan, widely regarded as Pakistan’s most popular politician currently, claims the cases against him are “politically motivated” efforts to prevent his return to power. Pakistani authorities reject these allegations.
Supporters of jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan's party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), wave party flags during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Reuters
PTI leaders retract confessions
On Monday, key leaders of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party withdrew their earlier confessional statements linking him to the riots. During a hearing at Islamabad’s anti-terrorism court, presided over by Judge Amjad Ali Shah, PTI figures—Sheikh Rashid, Omar Ayub, Babar Awan, Raja Basharat, Kanwal Shauzab, and Shireen Mazari—appeared in connection with 13 cases tied to the violence.
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The May 9 riots, sparked by Khan’s first arrest last year, led to vandalism of military installations nationwide. The unrest has been described as one of the most significant challenges to Pakistan’s military in its 75-year history. So far, 368 PTI workers have been implicated in these cases.
Key cases against Imran and their current status
Toshakhana criminal proceedings: On bail
Toshakhana NAB case: On bail
Iddat Nikkah case: Acquitted
Cypher case: Quashed
£190 million case: On bail
Toshakhana 2 case: On bail
With additional reporting by Aamir Abbasi.
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