Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Thursday approved the bail petitions of former prime minister Imran Khan in eight separate cases linked to the violent protests that erupted on May 9, 2023.
The cases, including charges over an attack on the Lahore corps commander’s residence, were previously rejected by a Lahore anti-terrorism court in November 2024. That decision was later upheld by the Lahore High Court (LHC) in June this year.
Following the LHC’s dismissal on 24 June, Imran Khan challenged the verdict in the country’s apex court.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and comprising Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, resumed hearing the petitions on Thursday.
Representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, Barrister Salman Safdar laid out the defence arguments, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi appeared on behalf of the state.
After hearing both sides, Chief Justice Afridi announced the court’s verdict, accepting Imran Khan’s bail pleas in all eight cases.
Despite the development, the former prime minister remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail. Imran Khan has been behind bars since August 2023, following convictions in the Toshakhana (state gifts) case and the high-profile £190 million corruption case.
He also continues to face multiple pending trials, including further charges stemming from the May 9 riots, which broke out after his initial arrest and led to widespread violence and damage to military and government installations.
The PTI welcomed the ruling, posting on X (formerly Twitter) with the hashtag #VictoryForImranKhan.
