By ABDULLAH 
The (Supreme Court of Pakistan) SC adjourns Imran Khan’s bail hearing of former Prime Minister petitions in multiple May 9 rioting cases until August 12, 2025. This comes after his legal team requested a postponement due to the absence of senior defense counsel Salman Safdar, who is currently abroad.
The two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi, heard the case on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, but declined the request to reschedule the hearing for the upcoming week. Instead, the bench granted adjournment until the second week of August, marking a crucial date for the PTI founder amid ongoing legal and political battles.
The May 9, 2023 protests erupted nationwide after Imran Khan’s arrest, leading to attacks on military installations, including Jinnah House and Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore. These events triggered multiple FIRs and anti-terrorism cases against PTI leadership and supporters.
Imran Khan’s initial bail pleas were dismissed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on June 24, 2025, in eight separate cases linked to the violent incidents. The LHC based its ruling primarily on statements from two police officers—Hassam Afzal and Asmat Kamal—who alleged they overheard conversations about orchestrated violence on May 4 and May 7, 2023.
However, these testimonies were already discredited by lower courts. For instance, the ATC-III Lahore granted bail in FIRs 366/23 and 1078/23, citing late disclosure and insufficient evidence. A separate court, ATC-I Rawalpindi, also discharged co-accused Bushra Bibi on August 20, 2024, deeming the new witness statements unreliable.
In his appeal filed before the Supreme Court on July 26, 2025, Imran Khan argued that the prosecution had floated three conflicting narratives—each lacking credibility and rejected by different courts. He claimed:
- The police testimonies were contradictory and delayed.
- The media incitement theory lacked incriminating material.
- The new witness statements by PTI leaders were dismissed by Rawalpindi ATC.
Furthermore, the petition emphasized that Imran was in NAB custody at the time of the riots, making his direct involvement impossible. His counsel invoked Section 497(2) CrPC, arguing that the case is one of further inquiry, which should entitle him to post-arrest bail.
During the July 29 hearing, Advocate Salman Akram Raja appeared on Imran Khan’s behalf, informing the court of Salman Safdar’s absence and seeking a rescheduling along with immediate issuance of notices to respondents. However, the Supreme Court rejected the early date request and confirmed the next hearing for August 12, 2025.
The court’s firm stance signals that no special scheduling accommodations will be made, keeping in line with procedural consistency.
The August 12 hearing could prove pivotal for Imran Khan’s legal fate in the May 9 cases. A favorable ruling may grant him bail in all or some of the cases, while another rejection could prolong his incarceration. Given the contradictions in evidence, his legal team appears poised to argue that the charges are politically motivated and lack substance.
With several co-accused already granted bail, the defense is expected to press for similar treatment for Imran under the principles of parity and presumption of innocence.
The Supreme Court’s decision to adjourn the May 9 riot bail hearing until August 12, 2025, places Imran Khan’s legal and political future on hold once again. As the nation watches closely, the outcome of the next hearing could influence Pakistan’s political landscape, PTI’s revival strategy, and ongoing judicial discourse surrounding due process and political neutrality in high-profile cases.