Pakistani court acquits Khan – but supporters’ hopes of his release are dashed

Supporters hopeful of Khan’s release were disappointed (AP)

A Pakistani court has overturned the convictions and seven-year sentences of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife – but officials quickly moved to prevent his release from prison.

The acquittal in a case relating to the legality of the couple’s 2018 marriage seemed to have removed the last hurdle in the way of Khan’s release, nearly a year after he was jailed, and his followers had started gathering near the prison where he was being held in the garrison city of Rawalpindi to greet him on his release.