Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is to be released on bail for two weeks following a High Court ruling.
The former Pakistani prime minister was back in court after his arrest on Tuesday on corruption charges, which sparked violence across the country that left at least 10 people dead and dozens injured.
The country’s Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the arrest was unlawful and ordered his release, although Mr Khan spent the night as a guest of the police for his own protection.
He then asked the Islamabad High Court – a lower court – to reconsider its initial decision to uphold the arrest.
The Supreme Court said it would respect Friday’s decision.
The popular opposition leader, 70, was arrested earlier this week by the National Accountability Bureau on corruption charges.
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Imran Khan was released after a Pakistani court ruled his arrest unlawful
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan arrested in Islamabad – video
Pakistan’s information minister defends Imran Khan’s arrest
Pakistani Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has defended the arrest of the former professional cricketer.
She told Sky News: “A person who has defied the court, who does not follow the law, who avoids the courts and who thinks they are untouchable and cannot be questioned, must be treated as any citizen is treated. “
She dismissed claims there were political motives behind the arrest, as Mr Khan rides a wave of popularity following an assassination attempt.
“If we wanted to shut him down or shut him up because of his popularity, we wouldn’t have waited 14 months,” she said.
