Imran Khan back at Lahore residence after two days of detention

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has returned to his residence in Lahore's Zaman Park in the wake of a whirlwind of events over the past some days since his arrest on May 9. 

During his journey to Lahore, the former premier revealed that the Inspector General of Islamabad police made extensive efforts to prevent him from leaving for Lahore. For a duration of three hours, he kept him waiting, claiming that it was highly perilous to venture outside. 

"By persuading him that we would inform the entire Pakistani nation about his act of kidnapping and forcefully detaining us, we managed to secure our release," Khan stated. "Under pressure, he eventually permitted our departure," he added.

"After finally setting out, we discovered that the roads were devoid of any traffic and that the perceived danger was non-existent," he remarked.

His arrest on corruption charges earlier this week led to violent clashes, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan subsequently declared the arrest illegal - a verdict criticised by the leaders of the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

In the early hours of Saturday, Khan took a road route to reach his Lahore residence, marking his return after a tumultuous period. Prior to this, he appeared at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he was granted bail. 

The high court has given him a two-week bail period, offering protection from arrest in any other case until Monday, including charges related to the violent riots that erupted following his initial detention.

The bail was granted in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, and the court ordered authorities to refrain from arresting Khan until May 17 in any new case. Furthermore, he obtained bail until May 22 in the Zille Shah murder case, while another bench barred his arrest until May 15 in three terrorism cases.

Imran Khan has faced a series of legal allegations since his removal from power in April of the previous year through a no-confidence vote in parliament. Since then, he has launched a defiant campaign against the military, accusing the incumbent coalition government of colluding with top generals to remove him. He has also made explosive claims, alleging their involvement in a November assassination attempt where he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during his snap election campaign in Wazirabad.

After being granted bail, Khan remained within the premises of the IHC for several hours, waiting for the written order to avoid potential re-arrest by the police upon his departure. However, a police officer informed him that higher authorities had issued orders not to allow him to leave the IHC building. Frustrated with the situation, Khan threatened to announce his next course of action if the routes in Islamabad were not opened within 15 minutes. Thankfully, senior police officers intervened and resolved the deadlock, allowing Khan to finally leave the court premises.

The arrest of Imran Khan at the IHC on May 9 triggered violent protests across the country. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court intervened, nullified his arrest, and ordered his release. Taking advantage of this ruling, Khan sought bail in multiple cases against him at the IHC, and he received a favorable outcome.

Intermittent aerial firing

Meanwhile, intermittent aerial firing took place around the IHC premises, prompting authorities to put security on high alert. Islamabad police's spokesperson said no one was injured as a result of the firing.

“All police personnel are safe and search teams are investigating the matter,” he said.

The Islamabad Police also gunshots were heard at ​​H-11 on the Srinagar Highway. Apart from this, gunshots were also heard in G-10 near the IHC.

The spokesperson said that policemen came under fire in the ​​G-11 and G-13 areas. Firing also took place in the slum near Islamic University.

Police sources also attributed the intermittent aerial firing as a reason for restricting Khan within the IHC grounds.