Imran Khan granted bail in state secrets case but remains detained

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Dec 2023 21:26

The highest court declared that there was not enough evidence to believe that an offense under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a possible 14-year prison term or even a death sentence, was committed by Khan.

A police officer stands guard on a watch tower of district prison Attock, where Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in-prison after his conviction, in Attock, Pakistan, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. (AP)

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was granted bail in a case accusing him of leaking state secrets, as per lawyers. However, he continues to be detained on other charges, with an upcoming election scheduled for February.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has been barred from utilizing the cricket bat symbol on ballot papers, depriving them of a crucial campaign tool in a nation where adult literacy rates are below average.

Khan, who has been detained since August, asserts that the military is collaborating with dynastic parties that have traditionally dominated Pakistan to quash his populist movement and hinder him from running for office.

The 71-year-old former elite cricketer has faced a barrage of legal charges since his ousting in April 2022 following a fallout with the top brass, leading to his imprisonment on two occasions.

"The case has completely collapsed, and Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi have finally been granted bail," lawyer Salman Safdar told reporters outside the court.

Prosecutors allege that the two mishandled a diplomatic cable sent by Pakistan's ambassador to the US.

The highest court declared that there are not enough evidence to believe that an offense under the colonial-era Official Secrets Act, which carries a possible 14-year prison term or even a death sentence, was committed by Khan.

"There are sufficient grounds for further inquiry into their guilt of said offense, which is to be finally decided by the learned trial court," the judgment said.

PTI stated that Khan remains in custody over several distinct corruption cases, leaving little likelihood that he will be released from prison to participate in the elections scheduled for February 8.

"The prospect of him obtaining relief in the near future appears to be very slim," party lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudry told AFP.