Global Courant
ISLAMABAD – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bail on corruption charges was again extended on Monday after he called on supporters to take to the streets if he is arrested again.
Khan’s brief detention in May on bribery charges sparked days of deadly violence as thousands of his followers rampaged through towns, burning buildings and clashing with police.
He was released after the Supreme Court ruled the arrest illegal, but says the government still intends to detain him to destroy his momentum ahead of the October election.
“They believe people will sit as silent spectators if they put me in jail,” the 70-year-old said in a live-streamed speech late Sunday night.
“Death is much better than submission. Make up your mind against fear. You must stand up, peaceful protest is your right,” he said.
On Monday, a special corruption court in Islamabad extended bail for Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi until July 4.
He was also released in 15 other cases before three courts, said Mr Gohar Khan, a member of his legal team.
Since being ousted by a vote of no confidence in parliament in 2022, Khan has waged an unprecedented campaign against Pakistan’s powerful military. Supporters viewed his arrest on May 9 as revenge for that defiance.
Following the release of the former cricket star, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has suffered a large-scale crackdown, including widespread arrests.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has accused Khan of orchestrating violence against the state and has pledged to try some protesters in military courts.
“These cases are anti-democratic,” Khan told a judge at an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad, where he heard eight cases on Monday.
“I have never incited my supporters to violence,” he added. “Peaceful protest is a democratic right.”
