Ankara: Pakistan's top court Thursday granted bail to the country's incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan in multiple cases related to attacks on military installations in May 2023, a court record and his lawyer said. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi granted Khan's appeal against a Lahore High Court verdict, which rejected his bail application in eight cases related to the 2023 violence. The court ordered 72-year-old Khan's release, if he is not wanted in any other case. Khan, however, will remain in jail as he has been convicted in a corruption case. The cricketer-turned-politician is facing a barrage of cases ranging from corruption to terrorism, which he dubs a "sham." Several leaders and lawmakers from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, including opposition leaders in both houses of the parliament, have recently been convicted in similar cases. Several military installations, including the army headquarters, commonly known as the General Headquarters, in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, were stormed by protesters after Khan was briefly arrested in a corruption case in May 2023.

According to Anadolu Agency, the decision to grant bail comes amidst ongoing legal challenges for Khan, who continues to face numerous charges. The legal proceedings have sparked significant political controversy and have been closely watched both domestically and internationally. Khan's legal team has been active in appealing various court decisions, arguing that the cases are politically motivated. The recent ruling by the Supreme Court is seen as a partial victory for Khan in the midst of his legal battles. However, his continued incarceration due to the corruption conviction means that his immediate release is not forthcoming. The broader political implications of these legal proceedings continue to unfold as Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, deals with the fallout from the legal challenges faced by its leaders. The party has been vocal in its criticism of what it perceives as politically motivated prosecutions, drawing attention to the tensions between the judiciary and political factions in Pakist an.