Imran Khan released on bail in eight cases till June 8

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 May 2023 13:07

Imran Khan, who is accused of more than 100 offenses, was granted bail by courts in Islamabad and Lahore in a number of cases till June 8.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures as he speaks to the members of the media at his residence in Lahore, Pakistan, May 18, 2023. (Reuters)

Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail in eight cases as he continues to warn that the military eyes rearresting him imminently.

Khan, who is accused of more than 100 offenses, was given bail by courts in Islamabad and Lahore in a number of cases till June 8., including allegations of terrorism and corruption.

The former Prime Minister traveled to Rawalpindi earlier today to testify before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) scandal [Al-Qadir Trust case].

Bushra Bibi, his wife, was also granted bail in the case earlier today.

Police and Rangers have been stationed outside the NAB office in Rawalpindi ahead of his presence.

During the previous hearing, the former PM did not appear before the bureau, arguing that because he is on bail until May 22, he cannot appear in person.

The NAB had summoned Imran for recording his statement in connection with an inquiry into a £190 million settlement from the UK known as the Al-Qadir Trust matter.

Khan informed the anti-graft body in a five-page written answer that he was in Lahore and had been seeking bail in various instances on the instructions of the IHC till May 22 and hence could not appear before the NAB in person.

The PTI chief said the NAB call-up notice is “illegal” and as per the record, no “corrupt practices” were unmasked. The aim behind turning inquiry into the investigation is to politically victimize him, he insisted.

“I may however, add here that all the allegations made by you in the subject call-up notice are absolutely false, frivolous, and concocted, and based on a deliberate misconception of law and facts, and baseless conjectures and surmises. No case of corruption or corrupt practice is made not from the facts and circumstances existing on the record, rather the entire object of initiating the inquiry and investigation in the case is politically motivated and, to say the least, is based on facts extraneous to law,” he said, as quoted by NAB.

On Monday, the PTI chairman underlined to supporters via Twitter Spaces that he has no fight with the Pakistan Army and simply wants elections.

“I would never want our army to get weakened,” he tersely stated.