Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan Remanded Amid Political Tensions

A Pakistani court has approved a seven-day remand for ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in the Toshakhana case, despite a 14-day request by the NAB. This comes amid ongoing political unrest and calls by opposition groups for the release of political prisoners and fresh elections.

An accountability court has sanctioned a seven-day remand for former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the newly filed Toshakhana case, according to a Geo News report. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested a 14-day remand, which the court denied, setting a review for July 29 instead.

The anti-corruption body presented the couple to the court following the conclusion of their prior eight-day remand, submitting a progress report for judicial review as well. Imran Khan, 71, who held office from 2018 to 2022, has been incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on varied charges including the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and the un-Islamic marriage case. Meanwhile, his wife, Bushra Bibi, remains imprisoned.

The court has suspended Khan's sentence in the Toshakhana case and other courts have overturned his convictions in both the cypher and iddat cases, respectively. His chances of release have further dwindled due to new allegations related to the May 9, 2023 riots, following his previous arrest from Islamabad High Court premises, as reported by Geo News.

On May 9 last year, violent protests erupted nationwide after Khan's arrest, with significant unrest in cities and regions including Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad. The unrest led to attacks on army installations, notably the Corps Commander's house in Lahore, attributed to PTI workers. Khan was identified as the principal accused in these riot cases.

Earlier on July 20, the opposition alliance Tehreek Tahafuz Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) announced plans for a national protest on July 26, demanding the release of political prisoners, including Imran Khan, and calling for the return of what they describe as a 'stolen mandate.' The TTAP leadership has unanimously resolved to seek the immediate release of all political detainees and the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate violence against peaceful marchers.

The opposition also called for the resignation of the ruling party and fresh elections, praising a recent Supreme Court decision regarding reserved seats. The TTAP meeting was chaired by senior politician Mahmood Khan Achakzai and included PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan, Senator Shibli Faraz, and PTI Central Information Secretary Raoof Hasan, among others.

(With inputs from agencies.)