Imran Khan’s Release: Govt supporters call for Pak top judge to quit

Several thousand pro-government protesters yesterday demanded the resignation of Pakistan's top judge for releasing Imran Khan last week, as the former prime minister went back to court facing yet more legal cases.

Khan, who was ousted from power last April, was arrested last Tuesday following months of simmering political crisis, prompting his voters to rampage through cities.

His arrest was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court's chief justice and Khan was later released and granted various bail applications, reports AFP.

"The chief justice and a few of his cronies are disgracing the judiciary like never before. Their justice seems to be serving one leader only," said Malik Hassam Mehmood, a 36-year-old trader and supporter of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's party.

There was a heavy security presence in the capital yesterday as protesters gathered outside the court in the capital's so-called red zone.

Addressing a rally outside the apex court, PML-N Chief Organiser Maryam Nawaz accused the Supreme Court of imposing a "judicial martial law" in Pakistan, reports Dawn online.

Meanwhile, Imran Khan returned to the Lahore High Court yesterday where his lawyers said they were seeking information on fresh cases linking him to the violence that followed his arrest. The case will continue today.

Khan was accompanied by his wife, Bushra Bibi, who is tangled up in the same corruption case that led to the former leader's arrest.

Khan's team erected a white curtain between his vehicle and the courtroom to shield the couple from the media.