(12 May 2023)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Islamabad - 12 May 2023
1. Various of security and people outside Islamabad High Court
2. SOUNDBITE (Urdu) Tahir Hameed Niazi, member of Imran Khan's legal team:
"The High Court granted protection bail (for Imran Khan) in all cases. The court relieved him in cases which were registered after 9th May. The delay to leave court premises is due to security clearance. Now (Imran) Khan is on his way to Lahore."
3. Various of Khan supporters chanting
STORYLINE:
Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan left a high court in Islamabad on Friday after being granted broad protection from arrest in multiple legal cases against him.
The ruling struck a blow to the government in a stand-off that has sparked days of rioting by Khan's followers and raised the possibility of widespread unrest in the country.
After the court granted him bail, Khan spent several more hours in the building, as he and his legal team were locked in apparent negotiations over his exit from the site.
He was to head to his home in the eastern city of Lahore, Pakistan's second largest city, according to his lawyers.
Security was extremely tight around the court ahead of Khan’s departure as authorities have expressed concerns for the former leader’s safety.
Clashes between his supporters and police have periodically erupted outside the building.
Khan and his lawyers were also working to ensure the rulings were fully documented, trying to close off any legal loopholes that could allow his arrest again later.
The long list of around 100 court cases, on charges ranging from fomenting violence to corruption, still stand against Khan.
But the week’s turmoil illustrated the danger of moving against him.
After he was abruptly arrested on Tuesday, wide scale protests erupted, turning into clashes with police and mob attacks on government buildings and even military installations.
The court's ruling was a victory for Khan, and averted any new arrest for the time being.
The Islamabad High Court gave him protection for two weeks on one graft charge and protection until Monday on a host of other charges in a measure called “anticipatory bail.”
The protections in each case can be extended, but it was not immediately clear if that meant a new court hearing on Monday.
The charismatic 70-year-old Khan, a former cricket star turned Islamist politician, has a broad base of support around Pakistan, presenting himself as an outsider victimized by the military and the political dynasties that have long run Pakistan.
He was removed as prime minister in April last year in a vote of no-confidence by Parliament.
AP video shot by Muhammad Yousaf.
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