Pakistan's Supreme Court granted bail to former PM Imran Khan in eight cases related to the violent riots of May 9, 2023. This has boosted enthusiasm among his supporters and intensified political activity.
Pakistan: Former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, has been granted bail by Pakistan's Supreme Court in eight cases related to the violent riots of May 9, 2023. This decision is considered a significant relief for him from a political and legal standpoint. Imran Khan is currently serving a sentence in Adiala Jail in a 190 million pound corruption case, and he is facing hearings in several other cases.
Supreme Court's Major Decision
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, approved Imran Khan's bail after hearing arguments from both sides. This hearing overturned a previous decision by the Lahore High Court, which had refused to grant him bail.
In its decision, the Supreme Court stated that bail had been granted in several previous cases, including those involving PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry, so bail could also be granted in this case. The court questioned Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi about whether there was anything different in Khan's case, and directed him to respond.
Imran Khan's Arrest
Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023. Following his arrest, his supporters staged violent protests in several locations. During these protests, many people were injured, and significant damage was caused to property. After this incident, several cases were registered against Khan, including charges of attacks on military installations and conspiracy.
His arrest had stirred up the political atmosphere in Pakistan. Opposition parties described it as part of political pressure, while his supporters viewed it as a violation of democratic rights.
Key Issues in the Court Debate
During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked the prosecution two key questions. The first was whether a final outcome could be given in the bail matter, and the second was whether the principle of consistency applies. The principle of consistency states that similar decisions should be given in similar circumstances.
Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi described the bail orders as interim and said that the order does not affect the trial proceedings. He cited several examples from 1996 to 2024. However, the court noted that in previous cases, bail had been granted despite conspiracy charges.
