By ABDULLAH 
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has approved bail for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the violent events of May 9, 2023.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi along with Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, announced the verdict on Thursday. The decision comes after the Lahore High Court (LHC) had previously rejected Khan’s bail petitions in June.
The cases stem from the May 9 riots, which broke out following Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). Protesters attacked several civil and military installations, including:
- The Corps Commander’s House in Lahore (Jinnah House)
- The General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi
- Other government and military facilities across the country
While many PTI leaders and workers secured bail in the aftermath, others remain behind bars. Imran Khan himself has been incarcerated since August 2023, facing multiple cases including corruption, terrorism-related charges, and the disclosure of state secrets.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Afridi questioned the prosecution’s evidence, which included:
- Testimonies of three witnesses
- WhatsApp messages allegedly linked to Khan
- Photogrammetric and voice-matching tests
However, the bench stressed that the Supreme Court would not pass judgment on the merits of the case, leaving that to the trial court.
Imran’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, argued that the PTI founder had been named in only three out of the eight FIRs, while the remaining cases lacked direct evidence. He also maintained that Khan was in custody at the time of the riots, making his involvement impossible.
Following the decision, PTI welcomed the verdict, calling it a “Victory for Imran Khan” on social media. The party reiterated that the cases were politically motivated, aimed at sidelining Khan and dismantling the PTI.
While Imran Khan has secured bail in these eight cases, he continues to face several other trials, including the £190 million graft case, in which he is serving a sentence at Adiala Jail. His legal battles remain far from over, but Thursday’s ruling is a significant legal relief for the PTI founder.
- Supreme Court grants bail to Imran Khan in eight May 9 cases.
- Bench led by CJP Yahya Afridi overturns LHC’s rejection.
- Prosecution relied on witness statements, WhatsApp messages, and forensic tests.
- PTI calls the ruling a “victory” while other cases against Khan remain active.