Pakistan’s top court grants bail to ex-PM Imran Khan

FILE PHOTO: Pakistan’s top court grants bail to ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan in a case related to an alleged leak of state secrets. This photo taken May 12, 2023, shows Khan being escorted by security officers as he appeared in Islamabad High Court, Islamabad, Pakistan. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo

KARACHI — Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and one of his aides in a case related to an alleged leak of state secrets, his lawyer said.

It was not immediately clear if Khan would be released from jail as he has multiple arrest warrants issued against him in several other cases, said Salman Safdar, one of Khan’s lawyers.

READ: Pakistan’s top court accepts Imran Khan’s plea for bail

In November, Pakistan’s top court accepted a bail application from Khan. This came a day after another court declared illegal his trial on charges of leaking state secrets.

Khan, a former cricket star, is fighting various legal battles in the hope of securing release from jail and leading his party in a campaign for a Feb. 8 general election, which his arch rival, another former prime minister, is hoping to win.

READ: Pakistan court declines bail to Imran Khan in state secret case

The 71-year-old was jailed on Aug. 5 for three years jail for unlawfully selling state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. His lawyer said the Supreme Court had accepted the bid for bail.

READ: Pakistani court suspends the corruption conviction, sentence of ex-PM Imran Khan

Khan has pleaded not guilty to charges of leaking state secrets. The charges are related to a classified cable sent to Islamabad by Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington last year, which Khan is accused of making public.

READ: Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan’s lawyers cannot reach him in jail, spokesperson says