ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in cases linked to the May 9 riots.
The decision came during proceedings on multiple cases registered against Khan following nationwide protests and attacks on government and military installations earlier this year.
At the same time, the apex court reconstituted the bench hearing Khan’s bail applications. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi has replaced Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb on the three-member bench, which is now headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and also includes Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui. The bench is expected to resume hearings on Khan’s bail pleas shortly.
Earlier hearing
On August 12, a previous bench comprising CJP Afridi, Justice Siddiqui, and Justice Aurangzeb had heard arguments on Khan’s bail petitions. Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of Khan, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi represented the state.
During the hearing, CJP Afridi expressed reservations over the Lahore High Court’s detailed ruling that had dismissed Khan’s bail, noting that final findings at the bail stage could unfairly influence the trial.
“If we touch upon legal findings at this stage, the case of either party may be affected,” the chief justice remarked. He directed lawyers from both sides to present comprehensive arguments on key legal questions in the next hearing.
Islamabad court decision on PTI workers
Separately, an Islamabad court on Thursday rejected prosecution requests seeking physical remand of PTI workers in cases registered at Margalla and I-9 police stations.
Duty Additional District and Sessions Judge Shabbir Bhatti upheld a judicial magistrate’s earlier ruling to send the accused to judicial custody.
The defense contended that both FIRs had been filed by unrelated individuals. In total, 63 PTI workers are facing charges in connection with the cases.
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