Technically free, but not yet: Imran Khan faces another legal hurdle

PTI chairman granted bail in a dozen cases related to May 9 violence, but release orders for only 7 cases received.

ISLAMABAD:

Despite being acquitted in a series of cases, PTI chief Imran Khan's release from Adiala Jail remains uncertain.

The former premier, who is technically a free man now, may face new legal hurdles that could impede his immediate release.

According to Express News, while the beleaguered PTI chairman has been granted bail in 12 cases registered on May 9 in Rawalpindi, the jail administration has received release orders for only seven of these cases.

Orders for the remaining five cases, including the one after acquittal in the cipher case, have yet to be received, making Imran's immediate release impossible until all orders are in place.

The Supreme Court handed a major legal victory to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of former PM Imran, declaring it eligible for a share of reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies.

The judgement, announced on Friday by a 13-member bench in an 8-5 ruling, dealt a significant setback to the coalition government.

Reportedly, Lahore police have decided to arrest Imran in connection with three cases related to the May 9 incidents.

The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court has authorized this arrest. Lahore police will interrogate Imran in jail regarding these three cases. Earlier, the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court had rejected Imran's bail requests in these cases.