Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in the Supreme Court on Thursday by video from prison in connection with a lawsuit he filed against amendments to Pakistan’s anti-corruption laws. His video appearance will be livestreamed on the court’s website and YouTube, marking the first time footage of the jailed leader has been publicly released since his arrest last August. However, once the proceedings began, the footage could not be viewed on the website.
It wasn’t immediately clear why the visual wasn’t available on the website or YouTube. Thousands of Khan’s supporters were waiting on the YouTube channel of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, where the court footage was scheduled to be aired.
Cameras not allowed to cover Imran Khan’s case
Khan, a 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, has appeared in other courts since being jailed, but cameras are not allowed to film the proceedings, which usually take place on prison grounds. do not have.
Mr. Khan is fighting dozens of cases registered against him, and Thursday’s appearance was made in connection with a case he filed against amendments to Pakistan’s anti-corruption laws.
The Supreme Court this week ordered the government to ensure Khan speaks via video link and granted his request to be allowed to represent him without a lawyer.
Why Imran Khan is facing jail time
Khan, who was ousted from power in 2022, was granted bail on Wednesday in a land corruption case, but will remain in prison after being found guilty in four cases, two of which are suspended. Become.
The former prime minister, who remains widely popular in Pakistan, claims the incident is part of an effort by his political opponents and Pakistan’s powerful military to alienate him and prevent him from returning to power. . Both deny this.
Despite Mr. Khan’s imprisonment, candidates backed by Mr. Khan won the most seats in national elections earlier this year, but failed to win the numbers needed to form a government. A coalition of rivals led by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ultimately formed a government.
(Information provided by agency)
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