ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has formally adjourned the hearing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s post-arrest bail appeals related to the May 9 riot cases until August 12. The decision followed a request from Khan’s principal legal representative, Salman Safdar, who was abroad at the time of the scheduled hearing.
A two-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, with Justice Shafi Siddiqui, heard the case. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja represented Khan in court and requested both an earlier hearing date and issuance of fresh notices to respondents. The court denied both requests and fixed the programme for August 12 instead.
The appeals challenge the Lahore High Court’s rejection of post-arrest bail in eight separate FIRs linked to alleged violence during the May 9 unrest, including attacks on multiple public buildings. The petitioner argued that Khan could not have participated in the incidents, as he was in custody with the National Accountability Bureau at the time.
In response, Khan’s legal team claimed the prosecution relied on inconsistent and fabricated statements from police witnesses. Despite encountering similar claims in multiple courts, the LHC dismissed his bail plea on June 24, 2025.
Senior PTI officials continue to warn of political victimisation through fast-tracked legal proceedings. Opposition figures have also raised concerns over procedural irregularities and expedited court sessions alleged in other May 9 trials around the country.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.