The Supreme Court has accepted the bail pleas of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan in May 9-realted cases.
Many linked the development to the removal of major hurdle in the release of the incarcerated former prime minister. Considered as the most popular leader in Pakistan, Khan has been in jail for more than two years. He is facing multiple cases and among them courts sentenced him in several. However, a majority in Pakistan believes the case against him are politically motivated, a direct result of his clash with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. People see his ouster from power in 2022 as a result of the same conflict.
The apex court on Thursday accepted the bail appeals of incarcerated former prime minister in eight cases, reports say.
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore had denied Khan bails in the high-profile cases. One of the cases was related to an attack on Lahore corps commander house. Khan was in custody when incident of May 9 occurred.
Following the rejection of his bail pleas in lower court, his lawyers approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) on June 24. The LHC also rejected the pleas. The PTI’s legal team, then, challenged the dismissal before the Supreme Court.
Hearing:
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi heard the pleas. The other judges included Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi.
Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of Imran Khan. Zulfiqar Naqvi, Punjab Special Prosecutor, represented the state.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahaya Afridi announced the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
Cases against Imran Khan:
The PTI founder chairman has been in Adiala Jail since August 2023. He is serving a sentence in the £190 million graft case, widely known as the Al-Qadir Trust case.
As of December 2024, court records showed that around 186 cases had been filed against Khan across Pakistan. However, the Toshakhana gifts case and its two variations are regarded as the main cases against him.
Press Conference:
The PTI has declared the day as a victory day. Imran Khan’s sisters expressed satisfaction after the Supreme Court’s verdict, announcing that Khan’s lawyers would now approach the Islamabad High Court to secure bail in other cases. They also flashed the victory sign.
https://x.com/noreen_khanum/status/1958469657968463980
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, while addressing a press conference, also expressed satisfaction. However, he stressed that the struggle continues, adding that the will of the people will prevail and Khan will soon be free.
