The order comes two days after Mr Khan's arrest sparked countrywide violence which has left at least eight people dead and dozens injured.

Hundreds of others have been detained as supporters of the former prime minister, who is also a cricket hero in the country, were involved in the disorder.

Mr Khan, 70, has been faced with multiple corruption charges in Pakistani courts since he was ousted as a prime minster in a no confidence vote last year.

Supreme Court chief justice Umar Ata Bandial has asked Mr Khan to issue an appeal to his supporters to remain peaceful as the country faces growing turmoil.

Supporters of the former leader were seen dancing near the court building to celebrate the order for his release.

Mr Khan's lawyer, Babar Awan, told reporters on Thursday: "The Supreme Court reversed all legal proceedings against Imran Khan...he has been asked to present himself in the Islamabad High Court on Friday morning."

The Supreme Court ruled Mr Khan is now under its custody, his lawyer added.

He will spend the night at a police guest house but will be allowed to meet with a limited number of friends and family.

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In reference to the violent protests, Mr Khan said he had "no idea" what happened in the country after his arrest, ARY News in the country reports.

The former prime minister also told the court he had been "kidnapped from Islamabad High Court" and "hit with sticks".

Mr Khan had been dragged from a courtroom in Pakistan's capital Islamabad where he showed up to face corruption charges on Tuesday.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Violence unleashed across Pakistan

Pakistani authorities have cracked down on his supporters since Tuesday, with hundreds detained in overnight raids and troops deployed across the country to combat violence.

Five of the eight confirmed deaths were reported in the north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

A further two people died in the eastern city of Lahore, and another person was killed in the south-western city of Quetta.

More than 200 police officers have also been hurt in the clashes, which saw demonstrators burn down a railway station on the outskirts of Islamabad on Wednesday night.

Almost 1,600 of Mr Khan's supporters were arrested overnight on charges of damaging public property and attacking military installations, police said on Thursday.

One incident, just hours after the former prime minister was arrested, saw a mob set fire to the residence of a top army commander in Lahore.

Some 2,000 of the ex-cricketer's supporters were arrested earlier on Wednesday and Tuesday.