Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was granted temporary bail by Islamabad’s anti-terrorism court (ATC( on August 25 in a hearing held amid high security in the capital city.
The pre-arrest bail has been issued till September 1 when Imran Khan will again have to appear before the court. The interim bail was against a surety of Rs100,000.
Imran Khan has been granted bails in both cases, the terrorism case over his controversial remarks about police officers and a judge and separate charges of violating Section 144 (ban on public gatherings exceeding four persons) in the capital on August 20.
Hundreds of Khan’s supporters gathered outside the court building during the hearing and chanted slogans against Sharif’s government.
Speaking to reporters outside the court, Imran Khan said that Pakistan had become a “laughing stock” in the world.
“Our party member Shahbaz Gill was subjected to torture and sexual abuse, and in response, I said I would take legal action against police officers concerned and a magistrate who sent him back to police on a remand despite the torture being proven. But, ironically, a terror case was filed against me,” he claimed.
Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan said the terrorism charges filed against Khan were “an act of revenge.”
Legal experts say Khan could face from several months to 14 years in prison, the equivalent of a life sentence if he is found guilty by the court on the terrorism charges.
The court said it is initiating contempt proceedings against Khan over controversial remarks regarding female sessions court judge Zeba Chaudhry. Khan made critical comment against the judge after she allowed police to interrogate his chief of staff Gill despite claims of torture.