Supreme Court Grants Imran Khan Bail in Eight May 9 Riot Cases
ISLAMABAD – August 21, 2025 — In a significant legal breakthrough, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday approved the bail pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight separate cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots.
The decision was announced by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, along with Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Muhammad Shafi. The bench heard Khan’s appeal against the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) verdict, which had earlier rejected his bail applications in these cases.
Key Points from the Verdict
- The Supreme Court approved bail for Imran Khan in all eight May 9 cases.
- The LHC had dismissed his bail petitions earlier in June 2024.
- CJP Yahya Afridi emphasized that the trial court would evaluate evidence independently.
- The ruling is seen as a major relief for the PTI founder, who has been behind bars since August 2023.
Imran Khan’s Legal Defense
During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar argued that:
- The PTI chief was in NAB custody when the May 9 riots occurred, making his involvement “impossible.”
- Out of the eight FIRs, Khan was directly named in only three.
- The prosecution’s evidence — including WhatsApp messages, voice matching tests, and photogrammetric reports — lacked credibility.
- The defense accused the police of mala fide intent and highlighted contradictions in prosecution statements.
Khan’s petition stated that the FIRs contained insufficient evidence and called the allegations against him politically motivated.
Prosecution’s Arguments
Special prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi claimed that:
- Three witnesses had testified against Khan.
- Digital and forensic evidence allegedly linked him to the riots.
- The PTI founder “played a central role” in organizing the protests.
However, CJP Afridi dismissed the prosecution’s request for findings from the Supreme Court, stating:
“The law provides its own findings. Evidence should remain with the trial court for proper examination.”
Background: The May 9 Riots
The May 9, 2023 riots erupted after Imran Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case. Nationwide protests followed, during which civil and military installations were attacked, including:
- The Corps Commander’s House in Lahore
- The General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi
Following the unrest, hundreds of PTI leaders and supporters were detained. While many have since been granted bail, several cases remain under investigation.
Imran Khan’s Political Journey
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s 22nd Prime Minister, was removed from office through a no-confidence motion in April 2022. Since then, he has faced dozens of legal cases, including allegations of corruption, terrorism, and sedition.
The PTI founder has been incarcerated since August 2023, and today’s Supreme Court ruling marks a major legal victory that could reshape Pakistan’s political landscape.
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