Supreme Court rules in favour of Imran Khan, still hopeful to run in upcoming election

The former Pakistani prime minister was granted bail in the state secrets leak case, but remains in prison for corruption. The deadline to file nomination papers for the 8 February election was extended to 24 December. Nawaz Sharif's candidacy is still an open question.

Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) - In Pakistan's agitated march towards the general elections set for 8 February, former Prime Minister Imran Khan – who is still trying to run from prison – scored a point today.

The Supreme Court granted him bail along with former Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi, both leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in a case involving the leak of state secrets when Khan alleged that the United States tried to get rid of him when he was still prime minister.

For now, the former prime minister will remain in prison for the Toshakhana corruption case, related to gifts (including some expensive watches) received from foreign dignitaries that were not reported during his tenure as head of government.

The legal proceedings over the state secrets leak case started in prison with the trial held in-camera. However, an appeal forced the court to allow the presence of observers.

Despite his plea of innocence, Khan was sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case, which is preventing him from running in the upcoming election.

Based on his appeal, the former prime minister is asking to be allowed to run. To get him in the election campaign anyway, his party has used an artificial intelligence voice clone of him from prison.

Today, the Electoral Commission extended the deadline for filing nomination papers by two days, to 24 December. The verdict on Khan’s eligibility is set for 30 December.

Imran Khan’s rival, Nawaz Sharif, is also trying to run. A former prime minister like Khan, Sharif was also convicted of corruption, and is candidacy is still an open question. He returned to Pakistan from self-imposed exile a few weeks ago.

• pakistan
• imran khan
• election
• prison
• corruption
• state secrets leak
• nawaz sharif