OPINION | PAKISTAN: IMRAN GETS BAIL

On Day 3 of the courtroom saga in Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan got two weeks’ bail from Islamabad High Court in all cases failed against him before May 9. The High Court ordered that the former PM shall not be arrested till May 17. There was high drama in the High Court complex, with Imran’s supporters raising slogans and setting fire to some vehicles. In the High Court, Imran Khan warned, if he was arrested, the government must remain prepared to face consequences. On Thursday night, Imran Khan was kept in Islamabad Police Lines guest house and was brought to High Court amidst tight security. The Supreme Court on Thursday had ordered immediate release of Imran Khan and at the same time, directed him to appear before the High Court for hearing in different cases. Imran Khan told the High Court that he was beaten up in custody and whatever happened to him was due to Army Chief Gen Asim Muneer. He also said, he would not go out of Pakistan to save himself. “This is my country and I shall not leave”, Imran Khan said. On Thursday, Pakistan Information Minister Mariyam Aurangzeb lashed out at the Supreme Court for ordering release of Imran Khan. She said, the apex court has released “a thief, a dacoit and a corrupt person”.  Former minister Sheikh Rashid demanded immediate general elections, and at the same time condemned arson and vandalism taking place across Pakistan. Sheikh Rashid is right. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his party has made Imran Khan a hero by arresting him. At the same time, one must say that nothing is working properly in Pakistan at this moment. The manner in which Pak Rangers forcibly arrested Imran Khan was unjustified. The manner in which Imran’s supporters set fire to the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore and Radio Pakistan office in Peshawar, after from looting and arson, is deplorable. The way in which senior ministers in Pakistan condemned the Supreme Court judges is unacceptable. Nobody in Pakistan is following rules, law and precedents. Everybody is engaged in reckless action. Nobody can say what is going to happen in Pakistan in the coming weeks.

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