Pakistan's top court orders Imran Khan released on bail in a corruption case. He won't be freed yet

Dec 22, 2023

Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ordered in a surprise ruling the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and one of his party deputies on bail in a case involving alleged corruption

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered in a surprise ruling Friday the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and one of his party deputies on bail in a case involving alleged corruption.

Khan — currently

serving a three-year sentence

in jail in a graft case — won't be presently freed as he still faces two other corruption cases.

Friday's ruling, which Khan’s defense team viewed as a legal victory and a political boost, was issued over charges of the former premier revealing state secrets when he waved an allegedly confidential document, dubbed Cipher, last year at a rally following his ouster from power. The document has not been made public.

“The court's order is proof enough that the charges against Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi were fabricated,” said Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar. Qureshi is a senior vice president at Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

Pakistan's government said the Cipher document was diplomatic correspondence between the Pakistani ambassador to Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad. Khan confirmed the correspondence and insisted

his ouster

was a conspiracy by the United States, his successor Shehbaz Sharif, and the Pakistani military — accusations that they have all denied.

The judges of the Supreme Court concluded in their ruling that there wasn't enough evidence that Khan revealed official secrets while waving the document.

This came two days after his party announced that Khan

would run in the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections

from prison. According to Pakistani election laws, Khan can submit his nomination papers as his appeal against his conviction in the graft case is yet to be decided on.

Analysts said the surprise development could help his party to win the elections which are to be held on February 8.

Khan has had almost no contact with the outside world since he was imprisoned in August. Over the weekend, Khan for the first time used

artificial intelligence

to deliver a speech to his supporters.

The Cipher case trial is being held in Adiyala prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi where Khan is jailed. Only his legal team is allowed to attend court hearings, as authorities say the case is too sensitive.

Khan's main political rival is Nawaz Sharif, a three-time former prime minister, who self-exiled and recently returned to Pakistan after having corruption charges overturned. Nawaz plans to run for a seat in the parliament in an effort aimed at becoming a prime minister for the fourth time.

MORE NEWS

China’s top swimmers enjoy record-breaking performances at national championships
Oct 28, 2026
China’s top swimmers enjoy record-breaking performances at national championships

Chinese swimmers showcased their strength in depth with record-breaking performances by veterans and rising stars at the national championships in Beijing. As of Tuesday, swimmers had broken one world, six Asian and multiple national records. Zhang Yufei and Zhang Zhanshuo set Asian short-course records in the women’s 100m butterfly and men’s 800m freestyle, clocking 54.87 seconds and seven minutes 28.61 seconds respectively to claim gold. The national event is the official selection trial for...

'Personal' Setback Behind Neeraj Yadav's Suicide? Police Reveals Startling Details
Oct 28, 2026
'Personal' Setback Behind Neeraj Yadav's Suicide? Police Reveals Startling Details

A reported fallout with a woman friend has emerged as a key angle in the investigation into Neeraj Yadav's death.

Three-Time Grand Slam Winner Ends Tennis Career With 1st-Round Defeat In Basel
Oct 28, 2026
Three-Time Grand Slam Winner Ends Tennis Career With 1st-Round Defeat In Basel

Stan Wawrinka ended his 24-year professional tennis career following a first-round defeat at the Basel Open.

Thomas van Tonder Completes World-First Crossing Beneath Bloukrans Bridge
Oct 28, 2026
Thomas van Tonder Completes World-First Crossing Beneath Bloukrans Bridge

Thomas van Tonder completed a world-first crossing beneath Bloukrans Bridge, traversing 600 suspended monkey bars over 280 metres in 47 minutes and 37 sec.

Neeraj Yadav, Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist, Dies By Suicide
Oct 28, 2026
Neeraj Yadav, Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist, Dies By Suicide

Para-athlete Neeraj Yadav has reportedly died by suicide after consuming poison.

Babus who call late meetings, delay files face scrutiny as cabinet secretary lists 12 types of secretaries
Oct 28, 2026
Babus who call late meetings, delay files face scrutiny as cabinet secretary lists 12 types of secretaries

Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan highlighted issues with bureaucratic efficiency at a recent performance review meeting. He presented a list of problematic behaviors affecting government productivity using cartoons. Somanathan emphasized the necessity of timely decision-making and better communication between ministries. Another topic addressed was the improper usage of ration cards by railway employees.

Delhi starts online liquor booking app: How to order favourite brands without waiting in queues, check process, outlet availability, and key rules
Oct 28, 2026
Delhi starts online liquor booking app: How to order favourite brands without waiting in queues, check process, outlet availability, and key rules

Delhi's latest initiative introduces an online liquor booking app, letting users select their favorite brands and make payments seamlessly. To streamline the process, residents have 48 hours to pick up their orders from one of the 208 designated shops. While home delivery isn’t an option, the app aims to eliminate long queues and enhance transparency.

1st batch of Agniveers retiring soon: What's the retirement money, career options and benefits they will get
Oct 28, 2026
1st batch of Agniveers retiring soon: What's the retirement money, career options and benefits they will get

By 2026, approximately 18,300 Agniveers will finish their service in the armed forces, marking a pivotal transition. To ease their shift into civilian life, numerous states have initiated job quotas specifically for ex-Agniveers across different uniformed services and police departments. These initiatives stem from the Agnipath scheme launched in June 2022, which focuses on enlisting younger individuals in military roles.

GST clarification on foreign investor brokerage offers sentiment boost, analysts say
Oct 28, 2026
GST clarification on foreign investor brokerage offers sentiment boost, analysts say

The Indian government has clarified that brokerage paid by overseas clients may qualify as an export service. This could help foreign investors avoid the 18% goods and services tax on brokerage fees. Analysts suggest this clarification is sentimentally positive amid significant foreign outflows from Indian stocks. There is ongoing speculation regarding potential cuts in capital gains tax ahead of the federal budget.

'Copying China's manufacturing model may not pay off': Ashwini Vaishnaw hits back with ‘Cope harder’ remark, cites Rs 3 lakh crore PLI returns
Oct 28, 2026
'Copying China's manufacturing model may not pay off': Ashwini Vaishnaw hits back with ‘Cope harder’ remark, cites Rs 3 lakh crore PLI returns

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has hit back at criticism of India's mobile phone manufacturing strategy with a blunt “Cope harder” remark. Citing figures from the government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, he said the government paid Rs 19,000 crore in incentives and collected Rs 25,000 crore in direct taxes, alongside Rs 3 lakh crore in GST. His response followed a Bloomberg Opinion video questioning India's iPhone manufacturing model, its dependence on imported components and the cost of government subsidies.

Daily World Feed

Get yourself immersed in engaging topics right here. Daily World Feed is a multi-platform media, providing you latest breaking news straight from the industry.

Sign Up