Imran’s dramatic arrest by paramilitary troops on the premises of the Islamabad high court on Tuesday set off widespread violence across Pakistan, leaving at least 10 people dead and nearly 300 wounded in clashes between supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and security forces.
Imran was produced before a three-member bench of the top court on its orders, after admitting PTI’s plea questioning the legality of his arrest. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial called the PTI chairman to the rostrum and said: “Happy to see you. There have been incidents of violence after your arrest. It is being said that your workers came out in rage.”
Justice Bandial said the court wanted peace in the country, before ruling that Imran was arrested unlawfully and directed him to approach the Islamabad HC, from where he was picked up. “You will have to accept the high court’s decision,” the top judge ordered.
Though Imran was released from custody, the court ordered that he be kept under the protection of security forces in the Police Lines Guest House, a safe location in Islamabad. The order said that these directives will “remain valid until the production of the petitioner before the high court”.
The head of Imran’s legal team, Babar Awan, told reporters that the ex-PM is a “free citizen” and will be allowed to meet his lawyers and up to 10 guests.
Imran, 70, said in court that he was not aware of what was happening in the country. “How am I responsible for the protests? I was caught as if I am a terrorist,” he said and alleged that he was hit with clubs and “even murderers are not treated this way”.
05:50
Pakistan Supreme Court declares Imran Khan’s arrest ‘null and void’
He asked his supporters to maintain peace. “We only want elections in the country,” he said.
PTI welcomed the SC decision, while the government was clearly unhappy. Defence minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif denounced the SC ruling at a press conference, calling it a “special reprieve” for Imran. He said the court was ignoring PTI supporters’ attacks on military and government installations.
The military headquarters in Rawalpindi and security posts in the northwest were attacked, while demonstrators ransacked and burned down the residence of the regional commander, Lt Gen Salman Fayyaz Ghani, in Lahore.
Paramilitary troops and police were out in numbers on the streets of big cities on Thursday. More than 3,000 rioters have been detained in the past three days. Footage shared by an Islamabad police officer showed military vehicles with mounted guns lined up on the side of a road and soldiers on guard with assault rifles.
02:38
Former Pak PM Imran Khan appears at a special court in Islamabad; red alert sounded
Mobile data services remained suspended and schools and offices were closed in two of Pakistan’s four provinces. Social media platforms such as Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram have been blocked.