ISLAMABAD (PEN) : The Lahore High Court (LHC) is set to announce its decision today on the bail petitions filed by former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight cases related to the May 9 riots.
The verdict will be delivered by a two-member bench comprising Justice Shehbaz Rizvi and Justice Tariq Mehmood. Court staff informed PTI supporters and journalists present at the courthouse that the ruling would be issued later in the day.
Background of the Cases
The bail petitions stem from a series of violent incidents that erupted on May 9, 2023, following Imran Khan’s arrest. The unrest included attacks on military installations, government buildings, and public property in various cities.
The prosecution alleges that Khan incited party workers to target military facilities. An audio clip said to contain his voice was submitted for forensic analysis. Authorities claimed that the PTI leader refused to participate in the voice-matching process.
Prosecutors further asserted that anti-army slogans were shared online through social media accounts affiliated with PTI supporters.
Defense Argument
Imran Khan’s legal counsel, Barrister Salman Safdar, argued that his client was implicated at a later stage and was already in custody when many of the incidents took place. He highlighted that several interim bail applications had remained unresolved for more than 18 months, describing the delay as unjustified.
Safdar maintained that Khan’s situation differed from others accused in the same cases due to his ongoing detention and political profile.
Previous Rulings
On November 27, 2024, an anti-terrorism court denied Khan bail in the eight related cases. His legal team challenged the decision in the Lahore High Court, leading to the current proceedings.
Verdict Expected Today
The court’s ruling, expected today, will determine whether Imran Khan will be granted bail in these cases. Although he remains in custody on multiple legal fronts, a favorable decision could influence the course of the ongoing legal battle.
