A Pakistani appeals court suspended the three-year prison sentence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, the latest twist in a political showdown between Mr. Khan and the leaders of the powerful military establishment who appear intent on keeping him out of politics.
Mr. Khan was arrested earlier this month after a trial court convicted him in a corruption case — a sentence that was suspended by the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday after an appeal by Mr. Khan.
It was not immediately clear on what grounds the court suspended the sentence, or if he will be released from prison immediately. The decision offered what could be a temporary reprieve for Mr. Khan, a former cricket star turned populist politician who has been fighting to return to politics since he was ousted from power last year.
The possibility that Mr. Khan could remain behind bars or be arrested again after he is released. He faces dozens of court cases, part of what he and his allies have characterized as a coordinated effort by the military to keep him out of politics.
The announcement highlighted the chaotic state of Pakistani politics, which has been consumed by a year-long showdown between military leaders and Mr. Khan, who was ousted in a vote of no confidence last year.
For some time, Mr. Khan made a political rebound, drawing thousands to rallies where he accused military generals of orchestrating his ouster.
But in recent months, the political tide seems to have changed, as the military began a massive campaign to dismantle Mr. Khan. Media columnists sympathetic to him were intimidated, supporters who protested against the military were jailed, and party leaders defected in droves after they said they were threatened with criminal charges.
The campaign sent a clear message: Any challenge to the military’s ultimate political control of Pakistan will not be tolerated.
Then, earlier this month, after the trial court sentenced Mr. Khan was sentenced to three years in prison on a corruption charge, disqualifying him from running for office for five years by the country’s election commission.
Salman Masood contributed reporting.
