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Court Extends Pre-Arrest Bail For Former Pakistani Prime Minister


Imran Khan has been delivering speeches to gatherings across the country as he pushes for new elections. (file photo)
Imran Khan has been delivering speeches to gatherings across the country as he pushes for new elections. (file photo)

A court in Pakistan has extended by one week the pre-arrest bail set for former Prime Minister Imran Khan over terrorism charges that have ignited political tensions in the country.

The court's move on August 25 prolongs the measure until September 1.

Khan, a former international cricket star turned politician, was present at the hearing in Islamabad.

Reuters quoted Khan's lawyer and political aide, Babar Awan, as saying the defense team will continue to apply for extensions as long as necessary.

The terrorism charge, laid on August 22, followed a speech made by Khan in Islamabad during which he vowed to sue police officers and a judge and alleged that a close aide had been tortured after his arrest.

Khan, who came to power in 2018, was ousted in a no-confidence vote in April as the opposition accused him of economic mismanagement amid soaring inflation and economic woes.

On August 21, Khan accused the government of temporarily blocking YouTube to deny live access to his speech at a political rally.

Khan has been delivering speeches to gatherings across the country as he pushes for new elections.

With reporting by Dawn, AFP, and Reuters
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