RAWALPINDI: The Lahore anti-terrorism court denied interim bail requests from Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in three cases linked to the May 9 violent protests.
Judge Khalid Arshad of Lahore’s ATC announced the verdict today, which he had reserved three days ago after hearing Imran Khan’s interim bail pleas in the May 9 riots cases — involving the Jinnah House, Askari Tower, and Shadman Police Station vandalism incidents.
The May 9 mayhem refers to the riots that erupted in various parts of the country last year following the ex-PM’s arrest in a corruption case.
The alleged PTI supporters attacked several state buildings including military installations, prompting the civil and military authorities to try the rioters under Army Act.
The deposed prime minister, who was ousted from power via the opposition’s no-confidence motion in April 2022, has been facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as premier.
He has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana case and subsequently sentenced in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections.
Khan secured relief in the other cases, including £190 million reference and Toshakhana, and was acquitted in the cipher case last month.
However, he remains behind bars due to his conviction in the iddat (un-Islamic nikah) case only.
Pleading before the Lahore’s ATC today, the government demanded Khan’s arrest in all three cases, including the Jinnah House case, saying his arrest was essential for interrogation with him.
The former premier along with his spouse Bushra Bibi is currently serving seven-year jail term each at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail after the couple was convicted in the iddat case on February 3, 2024.
The rejection of bail pleas comes as PTI hopes for Khan’s release from prison this month, with the district and sessions court in Islamabad expected to announce a verdict on the PTI founder’s main appeal challenging his conviction in the iddat case.
