Pakistani court grants Imran Khan bail, legal team says

The high court of Islamabad granted bail on Friday to Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan, his legal team said, in a move that could calm tensions after days of violent clashes across the country.

The high court of Islamabad granted bail on Friday to Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan, his legal team said, in a move that could calm tensions after days of violent clashes across the country.

Speaking on the phone shortly after the court ruling, Shoaib Shaheen, a member of Khan's defense team, confirmed that the former prime minister has been granted bail for two weeks in the case that led to his arrest on Tuesday. Paramilitary forces had arrested Khan on corruption charges on Tuesday, as he arrived at the high court for a hearing about separate cases.

With multiple cases against him still pending, the ruling does not exclude Khan being rearrested on different charges, something his supporters fear authorities may do in the coming hours.

Khan supporters followed the proceedings near the court on Friday, chanting slogans calling for their leader's release and at times clashing with security forces.

In a ruling that surprised observers on Thursday, Pakistan's Supreme Court had judged the circumstances of Khan's arrest to have been unlawful. The judges ordered Khan to be placed under court protection overnight, but limited access to him to 10 visitors.

Khan has denied all accusations against him, and his supporters say the charges are fabricated, as the government worries about his party's strength ahead of elections that are expected to take place later this year. Khan's party has outperformed in regional votes over the past months, leaving government officials worried that his party could again come to power.