ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan army said on Friday there was “no question” of martial law being imposed in the country while the federal government dismissed rumours of an impending emergency, after the Islamabad High Court ordered former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s release on bail for two weeks.
Khan’s arrest on Tuesday ignited deadly protests in which his supporters set ablaze a state broadcaster building, smashed buses, ransacked a top army official’s house and attacked other assets, leading to nearly 3,000 arrests and the army being deployed for help.
On Friday, the IHC granted Khan two-week protective bail and also barred authorities from arresting him until May 17 in any case that had been registered against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief in the jurisdiction of Islamabad after May 9, the day he was arrested.
The bail comes as Khan is at loggerheads with both the government and the military.
“There is no question of martial law.,” the army’s media wing said in a statement. “The army is united under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff.”
The army said no one in the army had resigned, responding to rumours that there were many pro-Khan generals in the army top brass.
“Army is and will remain united despite internal and external propaganda,” the statement said. “The entire military leadership, including the Army Chief, believes in democracy. Pakistan Army is united and will remain united.”
Separately, minister for information Marriyum Aurangzeb said media reports regarding the imposition of emergency were “baseless.”
“She said no decision regarding the imposition of emergency was taken in today’s cabinet meeting,” Radio Pakistan reported.
Pakistan’s federal cabinet reviewed the country’s overall political situation on Friday, condemning the Supreme Court’s decision of showing leniency to the former prime minister who is facing corruption charges, among a range of charges.
After the court order was announced, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said: “We have instructed our forces out there that court orders should be followed and there shouldn’t be any violation of the court ruling.”
