The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the release of PTI Chief Imran Khan accepting his bail pleas the second Toshakhana case.

Justice Miangul Hasan Auraganzeb heard the bail plea on Wednesday. The hearing opened with FIA prosecutor and the defence lawyer Salman Safdar presenting detailed their arguments.

After hours long hearing, the court granted the bail plea, ordering Imran Khan’s release against surety bonds of Rs1 million.

Will Imran Khan walk out of jail?

Imran Khan faces several other cases and may not be released immediately. The order, nonetheless, comes as a major victory and morale booster for PTI supporters who are preparing to launch a massive protest on November 24.

“Technically, Imran Khan could be released today if a written order is issued, Khan’s legal team submits the surety bonds and authorities issue a release order, but it may be another case if he is wanted in other cases, including the £190 million case,” said Tariq Chaudhry of Aaj News.

Speaking to Aaj News, Faisal Chaudhry, a member of PTI’s legal team, said Imran Khan was not wanted in “any other cases in Adiala jail” and he should be released.

When the hearing opened in the morning, the FIA prosecutor told the judge that media reports were already claiming that Imran Khan’s plea bail was be granted by the court on Wednesday. Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb told the prosecutor that media also claimed many other things.

Munizae Jahangir told Aaj News that PMLN’s Rana Sanaullah had already hinted at the release of Imran Khan by saying that the government would not frame any new cases against Imran Khan if he won release from court. Imran Khan could be set free to meet a key demand of PTI before the protest, she said.

What is the case?

On September 12, 2024, a three-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the FIA was formed to investigate the Toshakhana-2 case.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the amendments to the NAB ordinance, the Accountability Court transferred the Toshakhana-2 reference against the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and Bushra Bibi, from NAB to the FIA.

Previously, the court had ordered the transfer of the Toshakhana-2 reference record to the Special Judge Central’s court.

On July 13, NAB arrested Imran Khan and his wife shortly after they were granted bail in the Nikah case, in a new Toshakhana reference.

According to the NAB inquiry report, the new case pertains to the illegal possession and sale of 10 valuable gifts, including 7 watches.