Pakistan: Imran Khan's Custody Extended By 2 Weeks
The Facts
Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan on Wednesday had his jail custody extended for two weeks on charges of exposing an official secret document apparently featuring diplomatic cable, which he had touted as proof of a US conspiracy against him.
His lawyer has confirmed that a bail petition will be heard in the special court on Saturday, adding that an appeal has been filed to challenge the jail trial and to demand the case to be held in an open court.
The Spin
Narrative A
Imran Khan and other leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party — who are being deprived of their constitutional rights — should have long been released from custody as there's no legal cause to keep them behind bars. Though the Islamabad High Court's decision was a positive step for Khan, he continues to face politically motivated efforts to keep him out of politics.
Narrative B
Despite the Islamabad High Court ordering his release on bail, Khan will remain in custody as he was officially arrested under the Official Secrets Act during his imprisonment in the Toshakhana graft case. Not only did he misplace and misuse a classified document for political gains while facing a vote of no-confidence, but he also did admit to losing the cipher.
