In a major legal twist, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has postponed the hearing on Imran Khan bail plea related to the May 9 riots. The case, which has sparked nationwide attention, will now be taken up on August 12, delaying any immediate legal relief for the PTI founder.
عمران خان کی ضمانت کی درخواست پر سپریم کورٹ کی جانب سے سماعت مؤخر ہونے کے بعد قانونی حلقوں میں بے چینی پائی جا رہی ہے۔ پی ٹی آئی کے حامیوں کو امید ہے کہ 12 اگست کو ہونے والی آئندہ سماعت میں سابق وزیرِاعظم کو انصاف فراہم کیا جائے گا۔ سیاسی تجزیہ کاروں کا کہنا ہے کہ اس کیس کا فیصلہ نہ صرف عمران خان بلکہ پاکستان کی مجموعی سیاسی فضا پر بھی گہرا اثر ڈالے گا۔
CJP-Led Bench Adjourns Without Issuing Notices
On Tuesday, a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui took up the bail plea of PTI founder Imran Khan. Representing him in court was PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, standing in for lead counsel Salman Safdar, who was currently abroad. Raja urged the court to issue notices and reschedule the hearing for the following week. However, the bench declined the request and postponed further proceedings until mid-August.
Imran Khan had approached the apex court after the Lahore High Court dismissed his bail application on June 24. The LHC ruling had endorsed an earlier verdict by the anti-terrorism court, which had refused bail in multiple cases tied to the May 9 violence, including the incident at the Lahore corps commander’s residence.
Imran Khan Under Fire: Major Allegations & How He’s Fighting Back
The fresh Imran Khan bail plea, submitted through senior lawyer Salman Safdar, argued that Khan could not have been involved in the May 9 violence, as he was already in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody at the time. His legal team termed the accusations baseless and claimed they were part of a larger political vendetta against the former premier.
The plea also criticized the LHC ruling, stating that it was based on fabricated evidence, including delayed and discredited statements by police officials. It further mentioned secret witness claims that Imran held meetings to plan attacks on military installations. These meetings allegedly took place at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and a rest area in Chakri, Rawalpindi, just days before the unrest.
Political Backdrop and Legal Implications
Following the May 9 events, the government launched a massive crackdown on PTI and its supporters, leading to multiple cases against Imran Khan. While he has been acquitted in some, including the cipher and Iddat cases, the Imran Khan bail plea in the May 9 violence remains one of the most crucial battles for his political future.
As the Supreme Court gears up to resume hearing the Imran Khan bail plea on August 12, all eyes remain on what could be a game-changing legal outcome for the former prime minister and his party.
What’s Next? All Eyes on August 12
The Supreme Court’s upcoming hearing on August 12 will be closely monitored by political analysts, legal experts, and the general public. The outcome could significantly shape the political future of Imran Khan and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
