Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan was granted an extension of his bail pleas in nine cases by the Islamabad High Court on Thursday, providing a major relief to him. Khan had appeared in-person after a warning was issued by the court, which had earlier extended his bail pleas in eight cases until May 3.
The cases against Khan include those related to violence outside the Federal Judicial Complex. On Wednesday, the court had asked Khan to attend the hearing while granting a one-day extension in the bail pleas in nine cases.
Khan, who is also a former cricketer, appeared before a two-member bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani. During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer argued that his client was not involved in any of the cases and that the allegations against him were baseless.
The court then extended Khan’s bail pleas in all nine cases until June 7, 2023. The judge also directed Khan to cooperate with the authorities in the investigation of the cases against him.
Khan has been embroiled in a number of legal cases since he stepped down as prime minister in 2021. He has been accused of inciting violence during his protests against the government, as well as of money laundering and corruption.
Khan’s supporters have accused the government of targeting him for political reasons, and there have been widespread protests against his arrest and detention. The former prime minister has denied all allegations against him and has said that the cases are part of a political vendetta against him.
Despite the legal troubles, Khan remains a popular figure in Pakistan and is seen as a potential candidate for prime minister in future elections. He has also continued to be vocal about political and social issues, including human rights abuses and corruption.
The Islamabad High Court’s decision to grant Khan an extension of his bail pleas is likely to be welcomed by his supporters, who have been calling for his release from custody. However, it remains to be seen how the cases against him will proceed, and whether he will be able to clear his name in the face of the allegations against him.
In the meantime, the political situation in Pakistan remains tense, with opposition parties accusing the government of authoritarianism and corruption, and the ruling party facing increasing criticism for its handling of the country’s economic and social problems.
