Supreme Court Grants Imran Khan Bail in Eight May 9 Cases

The keyword Imran Khan bail dominated headlines on Thursday as Pakistan’s Supreme Court (SC) approved the PTI founder’s bail in eight separate cases linked to the May 9 riots. The decision marked a significant legal victory for the former prime minister, who has been imprisoned for over two years.

Supreme Court Announces Verdict

A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, along with Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Shafi, heard Khan’s appeals against the Lahore High Court’s earlier rejection of his bail requests. The court announced its oral verdict in Khan’s favor, setting aside the LHC’s earlier decision.

The LHC had dismissed his bail pleas in June, citing cases connected to the May 9 unrest, including the violent attack on Jinnah House in Lahore.

Khan’s Arguments Before the Court

Khan argued that the first information reports (FIRs) contained insufficient evidence to link him to the riots. He stressed that he was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at the time, making his physical involvement impossible. His petition also highlighted contradictions in prosecution statements, which cast doubt on the credibility of the case.

Furthermore, Khan’s defense team argued that the police had shown mala fide intent. They claimed the authorities delayed action for five months before pressing charges, and the belated witness statements could not be relied upon. His counsel emphasized that under these circumstances, Khan deserved bail.

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Prosecution’s Evidence

During Thursday’s proceedings, Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi presented the prosecution’s stance. He argued that three witnesses had testified against Khan and that photogrammetric and voice-matching tests linked him to the events. He also mentioned the existence of WhatsApp messages that allegedly implicated Khan.

The prosecution claimed that Khan played a “central role” in the May 9 cases and had not cooperated with the investigation after being granted post-arrest bail in some matters.

Court’s Observations

Chief Justice Afridi, however, questioned the prosecution’s approach. He noted that the trial court, not the Supreme Court, should determine the merits of the evidence. “The law itself would provide the findings,” he remarked, stressing that any observation by the apex court could prejudice the trial.

Justice Rizvi also questioned whether proper investigations had been conducted after Khan’s earlier bail approvals and whether his non-cooperation had been formally recorded.

Ultimately, the bench decided not to weigh in on the evidence but accepted Khan’s bail pleas, granting him relief in all eight cases.

Defense Counsel’s Position

Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, clarified that the PTI founder was only named in three FIRs, while the remaining five made no direct mention of him. He also pointed out that despite repeated hearings, the police had yet to file complete challans in the eight cases.

The court agreed that these gaps in the investigation raised valid concerns, leading to Khan’s bail approval.

Background of May 9 Riots

The May 9, 2023 riots erupted after Khan’s dramatic arrest outside the Islamabad High Court in a graft case. His detention sparked violent protests across Pakistan, during which angry mobs targeted military and civil installations. High-profile sites, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, came under attack.

The violence led to widespread arrests of PTI leaders, workers, and supporters. While several secured bail over time, many remained in custody. Khan himself faced dozens of cases ranging from corruption to terrorism since his ouster through a no-confidence motion in April 2022.

Political Impact

The SC’s decision comes at a critical moment for the PTI, which has been under intense political and legal pressure. The approval of Khan’s bail in eight cases may bolster his legal standing, though he remains behind bars in other cases.

The verdict could also influence ongoing political dynamics, as Khan’s supporters see it as a breakthrough in what they call politically motivated cases against their leader.