Imran Khan finally heads home after a hiccup
Pakistan
They are not letting me leave even after getting bail in every case, says Imran
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – After hours-long hiccup compounded by gunshots outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), PTI chief Imran Khan was on Friday night finally allowed to leave as the IHC had granted him bails in multiple cases including the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
In a video message released before his departure from the IHC, he urged the nation to gear up for "peaceful protests" saying when no one cared for the constitution and powerful reigned supreme [people should come out]. "They have ill intentions and they want to do something again," he added.
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 12, 2023
Mr Khan said three hours had elapsed since they kept him inside the court adding that they were not letting him leave. “They are making excuses,” he added.
He went on to say that he wanted to tell the nation that the IHC had granted bails in all the cases adding that he was a free man now. “Despite that, they have kidnapped me here inside the court,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad police spokesperson stated that Islamabad IGP was overviewing the security arrangements in place adding that IHC's orders would be fully complied with. "Mr Khan's secuity is our responsibility and we seek his cooepration in this regard," he added.
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) May 12, 2023
Mr Khan had been allowed to leave the IHC premises through the Judges' gate, a gate only opened for judges of the court, due to security concerns.
Gunshots outside IHC
Minutes earlier, as gunshots were heard in G-11 and G-13 sectors ahead of Mr Khan’s departure from the court, security was beefed up.
On the other hand, Mr Khan, while giving a 15-minute ultimatum to the law enforcers to ensure his security clearance from the IHC, said if security was not cleared, he would announce future course of action.
Police said firing was also heard around H-11 Srinagar Highway, the exit from Islamabad to Lahore. "Police have started a search operation to find the attackers," police stated.
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) May 12, 2023
Meanwhile, Islamabad IGP reached the court to meet Mr Khan in person. Mr Khan said he would record a statement after the meeting, sources said.
PTI leader Farrukh Habib said, "As Mr Khan's personal security guards took their way to the IHC, an attempt was made to arrest them. Harrasing Mr Khan despite bails is indicating toward some danger".
— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) May 12, 2023
Police said that security could not be cleared yet. "No loss of life was reported in these incidents," police stated.
Sources said police did not allow Mr Khan to leave the premises of the IHC as the firing was continued.
PTI lawyer Salman Safdar said PTI chief Imran Khan expressed his concerns over the firing adding that if Mr Khan had been granted relief by the court, why gunshots were being fired. “Mr Khan wants to leave for Lahore,” he added.
Mr Khan wanted to record a video statement before leaving but internet disruption was not letting him do so, he said.
