A Pakistani court has ordered the release of former prime minister, Imran Khan.
Speaking during Friday’s hearing, Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial said the arrest was “invalid and unlawful” because it took place on court premises.
He ordered that the “whole process” of Mr Khan’s arrest “needs to be backtracked”.
The court also ordered that Khan could not be re-arrested on the previous or on any charges filed after last Tuesday until 17 May.
Despite the rulings, the corruption charges against Mr Khan still stand.
The 70-year-old – who was arrested on Tuesday as he arrived at a courthouse in Islamabad – pleaded not guilty to the charges when a judge formally indicted him with corruption for the first time in the dozens of cases he faces.
Mr Khan had arrived at the hearing under heavy armed guard.
Ifunanya Ikueze is an Engineer, Safety Professional, Writer, Investor, Entrepreneur and Educator.
