The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Punjab government on bail petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 violence cases.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi resumed hearings on Imran Khan’s pleas challenging the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) decision to reject his post-arrest bail requests in multiple cases linked to the May 9 incidents.
During the proceedings, CJP Afridi observed that certain findings were attached to the petitions but clarified that the court would not comment on their correctness or assess their legal aspects at this stage. “Discussing these findings now could potentially affect either party,” the CJP remarked.
The chief justice directed lawyers from both sides to prepare legal arguments for the next hearing, adding: “The court will only examine legal questions in the upcoming proceedings.”
The case has been adjourned until August 19.
Imran Khan, currently held at Adiala Jail, filed the petitions under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, seeking leave to appeal against the LHC’s June 24, 2025 order. The high court had dismissed his post-arrest bail plea in an FIR (No. 103/2023) registered at Sarwar Road Police Station, Lahore, under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997.
The LHC had ruled that the offences fell under the prohibitory clause of Section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code and that the petitioner’s counsel failed to demonstrate circumstances warranting further inquiry into his guilt. The court also noted that Imran Khan’s case was distinguishable from that of his co-accused.
The May 9 cases stem from violent protests that erupted nationwide following Imran Khan’s arrest in 2023, resulting in attacks on military installations and government properties.
