Imran Khan: Former Pakistan PM granted bail for two weeks by Islamabad High Court

Pakistan police ban gatherings over fears of further violence after detention of former prime minister

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan was granted two weeks' bail on Friday after the Supreme Court ruled that his arrest by the military earlier in the week was unlawful.

Mr Khan, whose arrest on Tuesday triggered violent protests across the country by his supporters, appeared in Islamabad's High Court on Friday surrounded by heavy security.

The court was heavily guarded with armed paramilitary troops and police as Mr Khan was brought in a motorcade of nearly a dozen vehicles, according to the broadcaster Geo TV.

Television footage showed Mr Khan walking into the court surrounded by lawyers and security personnel.

Geo said supporters of Mr Khan clashed with the police elsewhere in the city, as they cleared roads for his convoy.

His detention by the military on Tuesday sparked unrest in the nation and was ruled “invalid and unlawful” by the Supreme Court on Thursday.

Pakistani police officers throw stones towards supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan during clashes in Islamabad. AP

A motorway leading into Islamabad is blocked by supporters of Mr Khan as they protest against his arrest. AFP

Mr Khan's supporters protest outside Avenfield House, the home of former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif, in London. Bloomberg

Nawaz Sharif is the brother of current Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Bloomberg

Policewomen detain a supporter of Mr Khan in Karachi during a protest against his arrest. AFP

A security officer stands near tear gas fired during clashes with supporters of Mr Khan in Lahore. EPA

The Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar was set on fire during the protests. EPA

A satellite image shows heavy security around police headquarters in Islamabad after Mr Khan's arrest. Reuters

A car set on fire in Peshawar by supporters of Mr Khan during a protest. AP

Mr Khan, 71, was expected to attend a hearing. AP

The government shut down Twitter, Facebook and YouTube across much of the country after the arrest. EPA

Authorities suspended the right of assembly in capital Islamabad and throughout Mr Khan's native province of Punjab. EPA

The shell of a bus set on fire during protests in Karachi. Reuters

The debris of a check point set on fire by Mr Khan's supporters in Karachi. Reuters

Motorcycles were also set on fire by Khan supporters. Reuters

A protest against Mr Khan's arrest outside the High Commission for Pakistan in London. Reuters

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party activists protest against the arrest of their leader in Islamabad. AFP

A paramilitary checkpoint burnt down during a protest in Karachi. Reuters

An officer fires a tear gas shell at Mr Khan's supporters in Karachi. EPA

A supporter of Mr Khan is arrested in Karachi. EPA

The Radio Pakistan premises after it was set on fire during clashes between police and Khan supporters in Peshawar. EPA

A burning police vehicle during a protest. Reuters

Plain-clothes police officers beat a Khan supporter during a protest in Peshawar. AP

A supporter of Mr Khan participates in a protest against his arrest in Peshawar. Reuters

Policemen retreat after firing tear gas shells towards supporters of Mr Khan protesting against his arrest in Karachi. AFP

Supporters of Mr Khan block a road during a protest against his arrest. AFP

Mr Khan sits in Islamabad's High Court moments before paramilitary troops entered and arrested him. Reuters

Mr Khan is taken into a vehicle by police as they arrest him. Reuters

Pakistani paramilitary troops walk to the court where Mr Khan is appearing in Islamabad. AP

Mr Khan's lawyer receives medical attention after he was injured during his client's arrest. Reuters

Security personnel escort a car carrying Mr Khan as he arrives at the court. AFP

The guards apparently protected Mr Khan, seen sitting in a wheelchair, from protesters. He was later arrested. AFP

Mr Khan is protected with bullet proof shields. AFP

Mr Khan's party said he was arrested on what they claim are politically-motivated charges. AFP

His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) said thousands of “peaceful Pakistanis” from across the country would gather in Islamabad on Friday in solidarity with their leader.

Mr Khan, a cricket hero turned politician, was scheduled to appear before the Islamabad High Court at 11am for a hearing on his petition challenging the anti-corruption action against him. However, the hearing was delayed for nearly two hours because officials were conducting a security sweep of the courtroom, Pakistani media said.

Mr Khan's arrest escalated tensions between the public and military and aggravated instability in the country of 220 million people at a time of severe economic crisis, with record high inflation, anaemic growth and a delayed IMF funding.

His opponents say he was brought to power through a rigged election in 2018 by the generals, but he blames the military for his ousting from office in April last year in a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

The army, Pakistan's most powerful institution having ruled the country directly for almost half its 75-year history through three coups, denied Mr Khan's allegations.

The military issued a warning to Mr Khan's supporters that it will respond firmly if there are further attacks on its assets.

In a statement on Wednesday the army said that the violence on its installations was pre-planned and ordered by the PTI leadership.

The development comes as the government criticised the Supreme Court for releasing Mr Khan from custody.

Ministers vowed to find other ways to arrest him, an indication that the showdown that has fuelled unrest throughout the country is far from over.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told a local television station that the former cricket star will be arrested again.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the top court was ignoring the attacks on military and government property by Mr Khan’s supporters.