Islamabad – The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Monday adjourned the hearing of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s eight bail petitions related to the May 9 violence cases, without issuing notices to the respondents or fixing an earlier date for the next hearing.
The two-member bench, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, deferred the case until August 12, following a request from Khan’s legal team for adjournment. His senior counsel, Salman Safdar, is currently abroad, and Advocate Salman Akram Raja appeared before the bench on his behalf.
Raja requested the court to issue notices to the parties involved and consider an earlier hearing date. However, the bench declined both requests, opting instead to adjourn the matter until mid-August.
The bail petitions stem from multiple FIRs filed against Khan following the violent protests of May 9, 2023, which erupted after his arrest. The Lahore High Court had earlier dismissed Khan’s bail applications on June 24, citing his alleged incitement of violence and attacks on military and government installations.
Imran Khan, who has remained in jail for nearly a year, filed these appeals in the apex court on July 26, arguing that the cases are politically motivated, lack credible evidence, and include fabricated narratives that contradict the facts. His legal team maintains that Khan was already in custody when the protests occurred.
The adjournment delays any immediate decision on Khan’s bail status and extends the legal uncertainty surrounding the former premier’s incarceration.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.