SC grants bail to Imran Khan in eight May 9 cases

ISLAMABAD – Wednesday, August 21, 2025 – The Supreme Court of Pakistan granted bail to former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan in eight separate cases connected to the May 9 riots.

The hearing was led by a newly formed three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, with Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi and Justice Shafi Siddiqui. Justice Rizvi replaced Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb, who was earlier on the bench. The session started at 10:30 am after recent postponements.

At the start, prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi informed the court that Khan could not attend earlier due to illness. The Chief Justice questioned the prosecution about consistency in past bail rulings and asked for clarity on the evidence against Khan.

CJP Afridi said: “Did this court not previously grant bail in conspiracy cases? Should the principle of consistency not apply here?”

The prosecution admitted that three witness statements had been submitted and alleged Khan played a “central role” in all cases. However, Justice Rizvi criticized the lack of clear details, saying: “You are the prosecutor, yet you don’t know the basics?”

Justice Siddiqui pointed out that bail was already granted in three other conspiracy cases and stressed that the principle of consistency must be maintained. The CJP also warned that the court would not discuss the merits of the case to avoid influencing the trial.

Khan’s legal team, led by Barrister Salman Safdar, had earlier argued in the Lahore High Court that the charges were politically motivated and part of a revenge conspiracy. The petitions, which include the Jinnah House attack case, claimed delays in hearings deny Khan his right to fair justice.

The Supreme Court bench concluded the hearing by confirming bail in all eight May 9-related cases.