A Pakistani court on Thursday prevented police from detaining former Prime Minister Imran Khan until the end of this month, but he might face a “life sentence” if convicted on terrorism charges.
The court agreed to extend Khan’s protection from arrest until September 1, according to the Associated Press.
The former Pakistani prime minister accused of violating the anti-terrorism law was released on bail, according to “AFP”, quoting an official in his party.
This latest development comes days following the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif leveled accusations of terrorism once morest Khan, which led to an escalation of political tension, and attracted national condemnation from Imran Khan’s “Insaf Movement” party, according to the agency.
This decision by the Anti-Terrorism Court will allow Khan to continue a series of rallies across the country to demand early elections, according to AFP.
The appearance of the former prime minister in court constitutes the latest chapter in the political disputes that have been going on for months and began in April, when the former cricket star was ousted following the National Assembly voted no confidence in his government, according to “AFP”.
During the trial, hundreds of Khan’s supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting slogans once morest Sharif’s government, according to the Associated Press.
Legal experts say Khan might face a prison sentence of between several months and 14 years, which is equivalent to a life sentence if a court convicts him of terrorism, according to the agency.
Imran Khan was accused of making verbal threats to police and a judge in his speech to a crowd of his supporters last Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
Khan is also scheduled to appear before the Islamabad High Court on August 31 to face charges of contempt of court and a judge’s threat, according to the agency.
His conviction in this case would mean a life ban from politics under Pakistani law, as “no convicted person can run for office”.
Experts say Khan has limited options and can avoid conviction if he apologizes for his comments once morest Judge Ziba Choudary, when he told her, “Get ready, we will also take action once morest you,” according to the Associated Press.
Khan is seeking to hold an early general election before the elections expected before October 2023, but the government has shown no indication that it is willing to go to the polls at a time when it is facing major economic problems.
Khan came to power in 2018 thanks to voters tired of the politics of leaders of the country’s two main parties, following the former cricket star promised to end decades of entrenched corruption and nepotism.
But during his rule, the country’s economy went into free fall and the International Monetary Fund suspended a $6 billion loan program that had recently put the new government back on track, and he also lost the support of the military.
Over the weekend, the Pakistan Media Watch banned television channels from broadcasting Khan’s speeches live, saying he was “propagating hate speech”.
“His provocative statements once morest state institutions and officials… are likely to disturb public peace and tranquility,” the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority said.
