“Granted Bail but Still Behind Bars: Imran Khan Faces Extended Imprisonment”

Attock City, Punjab Province – In an unexpected twist of legal events, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will remain in a high-security prison for at least two more weeks, despite having been granted bail just a day before. The decision came from an anti-terrorism court on Wednesday after a brief, closed-door hearing held at the high-security Attock prison, according to defense lawyer Intazar Hussain Panjutha.

A Legal Labyrinth

Khan has been embroiled in more than 150 legal cases since his removal from power through a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022. Among the charges, a standout case registered earlier this month accuses him of “exposing an official secret document,” which he had showcased at a political rally in Islamabad.

The document, referred to as Cipher, has been tightly held by the government and is said to contain sensitive correspondence between the Pakistani ambassador in Washington and Islamabad’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Legal Wrangling

Salman Safdar, another lawyer representing Khan, stated he is challenging the extended detention as “illogical and unconstitutional.” The team had expected Khan’s release after the Islamabad High Court suspended his corruption conviction and three-year prison sentence just a day before.

“It’s a major setback for Khan and his legal team,” Safdar told reporters. The next court hearing is set for September 2.

Ripple Effects on the Political Landscape

The continued detention of Khan, who was first imprisoned on August 5 following his sentencing in another case, provides his political rivals with an advantage ahead of the country’s delayed elections. Pakistan’s election oversight body has announced that elections will be postponed for at least three to four months to allow time for the redrawing of constituencies, following a recent census.

Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, the caretaker Prime Minister, will be overseeing the country’s affairs until the elections, now expected to take place in February.

Khan has persistently asserted that his removal was a conspiracy orchestrated by the United States, his successor Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistani military — allegations all parties vehemently deny.

Courtesy: Independent.co.uk