SC grants bail to Imran Khan PTI founder in eight May 9 cases
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9 incidents, ARY News reported on Thursday.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, alongside Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shafi Siddiqui, heard the petitions. During the proceedings, Chief Justice Afridi questioned the prosecution’s evidence, asking, “Apart from oral and electronic evidence, what else do you have against the accused?”
Justice Shafi Siddiqui inquired about the timing of the FIRs, to which Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi responded that they were lodged on May 9. The prosecutor added that police had sought court permission for three tests, including a polygraph, but Imran Khan did not undergo them despite approval.
Chief Justice Afridi remarked that if such tests were avoided, legal consequences would follow, but insisted that evidence would ultimately be evaluated by the trial court. Justice Rizvi further questioned whether such tests were common practice in criminal cases.
Prosecutor Naqvi maintained that there was “strong evidence” against the PTI founder, but the bench highlighted that proving such evidence in trial court was crucial. Justice Rizvi also noted that Khan was out on bail for two months after May 9, which should have given investigators ample time.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar argued that his client was not even nominated in five of the cases, adding that the Lahore High Court had already rejected bail in November last year, leaving the matter pending for months without progress.
After hearing arguments, the apex court approved bail in eight cases and directed Imran Khan’s release, a major development in the legal battle stemming from the May 9 unrest.
The decision comes at a time when the PTI founder faces several other pending cases, but his legal team views today’s ruling as a significant relief and a step toward fair trial proceedings.
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