Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail in a mutiny case, according to reports. Khan, who is currently the leader of the opposition party in Pakistan, was arrested earlier this week in connection with a 2014 protest that turned violent.
Khan had led a protest in the capital city of Islamabad against alleged vote-rigging in the 2013 elections. The protest, which lasted for several weeks, turned violent on several occasions, with clashes between protesters and police resulting in several deaths and injuries.
Khan and several other opposition leaders were charged with inciting violence and mutiny, and were subsequently arrested. While most of the charges against Khan were dropped, the mutiny charge remained.
Khan’s lawyers argued that the charge was baseless, and that the former prime minister had nothing to do with the violence that broke out during the protest. The court granted bail to Khan on the condition that he pays a bond of Rs 10 million ($65,000).
The decision has been hailed by Khan’s supporters, who have been protesting outside the court where he was being held. Speaking to reporters, Khan’s spokesperson said that the decision was a victory for justice and the rule of law.
However, the decision has also been criticized by Khan’s political opponents, who have accused the government of trying to suppress the opposition. The ruling party, which is led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has denied the allegations, saying that the government has no influence over the judiciary.
The incident has once again highlighted the issue of political instability in Pakistan. The country has a long history of military coups and political turmoil, with the military often playing a dominant role in the country’s affairs.
The decision to grant bail to Khan is likely to further polarize an already divided political landscape, with the opposition accusing the government of using the judiciary to stifle dissent. The situation remains tense, with protests expected to continue in the coming days.