Pakistan court frees former PM Imran Khan

(13 May 2023) ASSOCIATED PRESS Lahore, Pakistan - 13 May 2023 ++NIGHT SHOTS++ 1. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in black SUV arriving at his residence, supporters showering SUV with rose petals 2. Vehicle arrives, guards escort, supporters showering rose petals 3. Boy waves party flag from his father's shoulders 4. Various of black SUV passing through crowd, supporters showering petals 5. Supporters on van rooftop carrying flags, chanting slogans against Nawaz Sharif (former Prime Minister and head of Pakistan Muslim League) 6. Various of fireworks being set off by supporters 7. Supporters showing victory sign and chanting slogan 8. Supporters celebrating outside Khan’s residence 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Irfan Ameer Malik, Imran Khan supporter: "This is celebration time, Khan Sahib coming back to Zaman Park, and we are very thankful to Allah. Our leader, our respectful leader Khan Sahib is coming back and inshallah, despite all these challenges, Khan Sahib will become the future prime minister with a full majority." 10. Supporters distributing sweets in celebration 11. Supporters showing victory sign 12. Various of fireworks 13. Khan’s vehicle driving to residence STORYLINE: Supporters of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan celebrated in Lahore on Saturday after he was granted broad protection from arrest in multiple legal cases against him. The ruling at a high court in Islamabad struck a blow to the government in a stand-off that has sparked days of rioting by Khan's followers and raised the spectre of widespread unrest in the country. After the court granted him bail, Khan spent hours more in the building, as he and his legal team were locked in apparent negotiations over his exit from the site. As he headed to his home in the eastern city of Lahore, Khan put out a video statement from his vehicle saying the Islamabad police tried to keep him within the courthouse through different tactics, and authorities allowed him to travel only when he threatened to tell the public he was being held there against his will. Security was extremely tight around the court ahead of Khan’s departure as authorities expressed concerns for the former leader’s safety. In the evening, shots were heard in the area of the courthouse. Police were investigating who opened fire, the interior minister said. Clashes between his supporters and police have periodically erupted outside the building. The long list of around 100 court cases, on charges ranging from fomenting violence to corruption, still stands against Khan. But the week’s turmoil illustrated the danger of moving against him. After he was abruptly arrested on Tuesday, wide scale protests erupted, turning into clashes with police and mob attacks on government buildings and even military installations. The court's ruling was a victory for Khan, and averted any new arrest for the time being. The Islamabad High Court gave him protection for two weeks on one graft charge and protection until Monday on a host of other charges in a measure called “anticipatory bail.” The protections in each case can be extended, but it was not immediately clear if that meant a new court hearing on Monday. The charismatic 70-year-old Khan, a former cricket star turned Islamist politician, has a broad base of support around Pakistan, presenting himself as an outsider victimised by the military and the political dynasties that have long run Pakistan. Opponents, meanwhile, call him a corrupt demagogue stirring his followers into violence. AP video by Faisal Anjum Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/bfeae050b6fd49ed8030fd87b911bfb2