Pakistan Supreme Court orders immediate release of Imran Khan
International desk: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday ordered the “immediate release” of PTI Chairman Imran Khan after terming his arrest unlawful, reports The Dawn.
The top court also directed the former prime minister to approach the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
Earlier in the day, a three-member SC bench including the CJP, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Athar Minallah directed the National Accountability Bureau to present Imran before the court.
“The court will issue an appropriate order today,” the CJP said during the hearing, adding that the court was “very serious” about the matter.
Ahead of Imran’s arrival, security was tightened outside the apex court, with contingents of the Rangers and police, and bomb disposal squads called in. Only lawyers and journalists already present in courtroom number 1 — where the hearing is being held — are allowed inside the room.
The media also reported that the Islamabad DIG (security) has reached the court to review the security situation.
Meanwhile, the PTI has asked its supporters to stay away from the top court.
A Dawn.com correspondent present at the court said that the former prime minister was taken inside the court via the judges’ gate.
When the hearing resumed, after Imran’s arrival in court, the CJP called the PTI chairman to the rostrum and said: “Happy to see you.”
“There have been incidents of violence after your arrest,” Justice Bandial said, adding, “We want peace in the country.”
CJP Bandial said, “It is being said that your [PTI] workers came out in rage” and told Imran that the court wanted to hear him.
The top judge observed that the PTI chief was present in the IHC’s biometric courtroom on May 9. “When a person comes to the court of law, it means that he surrenders before the court.”
