Pakistan Ex-PM Imran Khan's detention extended for two weeks: Lawyer

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Sep 2023 12:28

The jail detention extension is related to the charges of allegedly leaking state secrets the former Prime Minister is facing.

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks while taking part in a demonstration in Gujranwala, Pakistan, on November 1, 2022 (AFP)

A court in Pakistan has extended former Prime Minister Imran Khan's jail detention for two weeks, his lawyer Naeem Panjutha said in a post on X.

Khan remains in custody over charges related to alleged leakage of state secrets, and consequently, authorities have decided to detain Khan in prison until at least September 26.

سائفر کیس میں عمران خان صاحب کے جوڈیشل ریمانڈ میں 26 ستمبر تک توسیع کر دی گئی.
— Naeem Haider Panjutha (@NaeemPanjuthaa) September 13, 2023

Imran Khan was arrested in early August after he was convicted on corruption charges and sentenced to three years in prison. However, a high court last month suspended his prison sentence, but his arrest for leaking state secrets prevented his release on bail.

In a separate statement, his lawyer said the judge had given Khan's legal team assurance that a bail application would be heard on Thursday, emphasizing that the court would reach a decision after carefully considering arguments from both sides.

جج صاحب کی طرف سے یقین دہائی کرائی گئی ہے کہ کل ضمانت کی درخواست پر سماعت ہو گی ،کل جج صاحب کو دونوں طرف سے دلائل سن کر فیصلہ کرنا چاہیے.
— Naeem Haider Panjutha (@NaeemPanjuthaa) September 13, 2023

Khan's legal team has previously described the actions of Pakistani authorities as legal "manipulation", adding that his team had been kept in the dark on details related to his arrest.

It is worth noting that Khan's fallout with Pakistan's influential military led to his political downfall, contributing to instability in a nation grappling with economic challenges. Furthermore, Khan remains ineligible for political office for five years based on an order issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to "disqualify" Khan for five years, which is the maximum period a convicted individual can receive under Pakistani law and as defined by the ECP.