Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be illegal and ordered his immediate release. The decision comes two days after Khan’s detention on corruption allegations triggered violent protests across the country.

Following Thursday’s ruling, the intensity of violence appeared to ease, although brief clashes between Khan’s celebrating supporters and the police broke out near the Supreme Court building.

However, the government has strongly criticized the court’s decision and remains determined to explore other legal avenues for arresting the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

Khan, 70, was arrested during a court appearance on Tuesday in a corruption case brought forth by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). His arrest sparked widespread protests, prompting the government to call in the army to restore order.

Throughout the country, PTI supporters clashed with police, and incidents of attacking military and government sites were reported. The military’s main headquarters was the target of an attempted storming, while the residence of a high-ranking general in Lahore was set ablaze.

As a result of the clashes, over 2,000 people have been arrested, with at least 11 fatalities and dozens injured.

The timing of Khan’s return home remains uncertain. The court has directed that he will be placed under police protection at the Islamabad Police Lines compound, where he has been held since his arrest.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial has summoned Khan to appear at the Islamabad High Court on Friday to reconsider the previous ruling that deemed the arrest as legal. Additionally, Khan may seek court protection against future arrests on corruption charges.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, speaking on Pakistan’s Dunya TV, vowed, “We will arrest him again,” potentially on the charges of inciting the wave of violence announced a day earlier.

As of Thursday, authorities have also arrested at least three other senior leaders of Khan’s PTI party, including a former foreign minister who served in his cabinet during his premiership from 2018 to 2022.

Furthermore, Khan was indicted on Wednesday in another corruption case related to the alleged illegal selling of state gifts during his tenure as prime minister.

Since his removal from power in April 2022 following a confidence vote in parliament, the government has filed over 100 police cases against Khan.