Imran Khan’s bail pleas rejected in eight May 9 riots cases
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, argued that the PTI leader’s nomination in the cases was politically motivated.
ISLAMABAD: The bail pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan have been rejected in eight cases related to the May 9 riots, according to a verdict announced by the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday. Judge Manzar Ali Gul delivered the reserved verdict on the case, which included incidents of vandalism and attacks on Jinnah House, Askari Tower, and Shadman police station, among others.
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, argued that the PTI leader’s nomination in the cases was politically motivated. He further claimed that Khan had condemned the May 9 violence and that the government had been facing defeats in multiple cases, particularly in 30 cases, in which verdicts had been delivered against them. Safdar emphasized that Khan had been in detention for over one and a half years and that police officers were plaintiffs in all the cases.
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However, the prosecution opposed Khan’s bail applications. The special prosecutor argued that the attacks on over 200 buildings were carried out under the instructions of the accused and highlighted the PTI leader’s controversial social media statements, which included references to waging a “real jihad.”
Despite the defense’s arguments, the court upheld its decision, rejecting the bail pleas of Imran Khan in connection with the violent incidents on May 9, a day that saw widespread protests and attacks across the country following Khan’s arrest.
