Pakistan's Top Court Rules Former PM Imran Khan's Arrest Illegal

The Supreme Court of Pakistan declared on Thursday that the detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by the country's anti-graft agency was unlawful.

Khan's arrest came after he led a months-long campaign of resistance against the powerful military.

The decision has sparked outrage among supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, leading to violent protests across the country, with at least nine people reportedly killed.

The authorities have also arrested over 2,000 people, including seven officials from PTI's central leadership, who are believed to have orchestrated the demonstrations.

Police with batons and riot shields were deployed to prevent further unrest.

The former prime minister had been vocal in his criticism of the military's involvement in politics, accusing it of rigging the 2018 election.

Khan's arrest had also been widely condemned by international human rights groups, who had expressed concern over the authorities' crackdown on peaceful protests.