Pakistan Supreme Court approves bail for imprisoned former PM Khan
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has approved bail for former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who were officially accused of violating the Official Secrets Act.
AA
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested by police on August 5 and sent to prison following a court-issued arrest warrant in a corruption case.
According to a report by Dawn, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered the leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to submit two bail bonds, each worth 1 million Pakistani Rupees.
In October, a special court in Pakistan had officially charged both Khan and Qureshi with violating the Official Secrets Act.
Special Court Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain had officially indicted Khan and Qureshi, who were being tried for "leaking state secrets," under the Official Secrets Act. However, both Khan and Qureshi had denied the charges.
The PTI had applied to the Supreme Court last month requesting the release of Khan and Qureshi on bail. The petition argued that it is a principle of the Court that 'release on bail should never be used as a form of punishment.'
KHAN WAS ARRESTED ON AUGUST 5
Imran Khan was arrested by police on August 5 and sent to prison following a court-issued arrest warrant in a corruption case he was facing.
The 3-year prison sentence handed down to Khan in the corruption case was suspended on August 29, and the former Prime Minister was ordered to be released on bail. However, on August 30, Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain extended the detention period of Khan, who was accused of "leaking state secrets," upon the request of the prosecution.
Former Foreign Minister Qureshi was also arrested at his home in Islamabad on August 19 for similar reasons and sent to prison.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had filed a lawsuit against former Prime Minister Khan and his aides for violating the Official Secrets Act.