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Pakistan court orders former Prime Minister Imran Khan released
PBS NewsHourDec 25, 2022
The Facts
On Friday, Pakistan's Supreme Court granted former PM Imran Khan two weeks' bail after finding that his arrest on corruption charges by paramilitary troops — which prompted protests and deadly clashes — was unlawful.
A three-judge panel ruled that Tuesday's arrest was invalid as it was conducted inside a court complex while he underwent biometric tests. Video footage showed paramilitary forces seizing Khan and dragging him from inside court premises, and whisking him away in an armored vehicle. He told reporters he was hit in the head and bled.
The Spin
Narrative A
Khan has been mired in controversy and scandals for years, and the mounting evidence is too much to ignore. Khan has used his power to subvert democracy, including his attempt to dissolve parliament to escape the no-confidence vote that ousted him. Now, he's using his platform to bring Pakistan to the brink of civil war by urging his supporters to commit violence. Khan is a danger to Pakistan, and his corruption is finally being exposed.
Narrative B
While in office Imran Khan tried his best to support the military while also ridding the government of its corrupt ruling elites. Unfortunately, when he started to notice that the armed forces were embedded in the toxic system, Pakistani troops quickly turned against him in the form of Tuesday's arrest. This is a small win for Khan, his supporters, and democracy, but the opposition leader is still fighting an uphill battle against a dangerous ruling class.
