‘Bail’ does not mean ‘release’ for Imran Khan

WEB DESK: Imran Khan, the former prime minister, is set to remain in custody despite being granted bail in the cipher case.

Earlier today, a three-member bench of the Supreme Court approved bail for Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, each on surety bonds of Rs 1 million.

The bench that conducted the hearing was headed by interim Chief Justice Sardar Tariq Masood and included Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Athar Minallah.

However, the case under which the former chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been incarcerated since August is not just cipher case. In fact, Imran Khan is behind bars due to a separate corruption conviction.

Imran Khan, Qureshi’s bail approved in cipher case

The charges against him include allegations of leaking state secrets, specifically a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington last year.

While he has secured bail in the Toshakhana case and the cipher case, multiple cases have been filed against him related to corruption charges – with two major challenges lying ahead for him.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed two corruption references against Imran Khan, related to the £190 million settlement and Toshakhana cases. The severity of the charges in both these cases mean that until bail is granted in these remaining cases, Imran Khan will continue to be held in detention at Adiala jail.