Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has returned to his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park in the wake of a whirlwind of events over the past some days since his arrest on May 9. 

His arrest on corruption charges earlier this week led to violent clashes, but the Supreme Court of Pakistan subsequently declared the arrest illegal – a verdict criticised by the leaders of the ruling coalition of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

In the early hours of Saturday, Khan took a road route to reach his Lahore residence, marking his return after a tumultuous period. Prior to this, he appeared at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he was granted bail. 

The high court has given him a two-week bail period, offering protection from arrest in any other case until Monday, including charges related to the violent riots that erupted following his initial detention.

The bail was granted in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, and the court ordered authorities to refrain from arresting Khan until May 17 in any new case. Furthermore, he obtained bail until May 22 in the Zille Shah murder case, while another bench barred his arrest until May 15 in three terrorism cases.

Imran Khan has faced a series of legal allegations since his removal from power in April of the previous year through a no-confidence vote in parliament. Since then, he has launched a defiant campaign against the military, accusing the incumbent coalition government of colluding with top generals to remove him. He has also made explosive claims, alleging their involvement in a November assassination attempt where he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during his snap election campaign in Wazirabad.

After being granted bail, Khan remained within the premises of the IHC for several hours, waiting for the written order to avoid potential re-arrest by the police upon his departure. However, a police officer informed him that higher authorities had issued orders not to allow him to leave the IHC building. Frustrated with the situation, Khan threatened to announce his next course of action if the routes in Islamabad were not opened within 15 minutes. Thankfully, senior police officers intervened and resolved the deadlock, allowing Khan to finally leave the court premises.

The arrest of Imran Khan at the IHC on May 9 triggered violent protests across the country. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court intervened, nullified his arrest, and ordered his release. Taking advantage of this ruling, Khan sought bail in multiple cases against him at the IHC, and he received a favorable outcome.