SC grants Imran Khan bail in eight May 9 case | The Express Tribune

The Supreme Court on Thursday admitted bail pleas of ousted prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases pertaining to May 9 riots.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi asked Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi two questions: “you must have read the Lahore High Court’s decision. First, can a final finding be given in a bail case? Second, in conspiracy cases, this very Court has granted bail to accused before. Shouldn’t the principle of consistency apply here as well?”

Arguing before the court, the prosecutor said that observations made in bail cases are always of an interim nature and have no effect on trial proceedings. From 1996 to 2024, the SC in various rulings held that observations in bail cases are temporary.

CJP noted that the SC had granted bail to Ejaz Chaudhry in a May 9 case despite conspiracy allegations and sought clarification on that ruling, The prosecutor replied that case was different from Imran Khan’s.

The Chief Justice responded, “you must prove how this case differs from the earlier ones.” Justice Shafi Siddiqui added that Ejaz Chaudhry had been accused of presence at the scene and conspiracy. Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi asked whether Ejaz Chaudhry was actually present on May 9. The prosecutor said electronic evidence showed Chaudhry’s presence.

Read: CJ rejects delay in Imran bail hearings

The Chief Justice then inquired, “What evidence do you have against the PTI founder?” The prosecutor replied that three witness statements had been submitted as evidence and claimed the PTI founder played a central role in all cases.

When the hearing resumed after a short break, the prosecutor sought to argue on the merits of the case.

CJP Afridi, however, remarked, “We will not allow arguments on the merits. You may only respond to legal questions on the conspiracy charge.”

ISPR DG says May 9 perpetrators will face law

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that those involved in the May 9 violence, along with their facilitators, would face the law.

He said Pakistan had the potential to reshape the destiny of the region, which was why it remained under constant attack. He urged the youth to understand the legacy and history of their ideological state.

Referring to regional threats, Lt Gen Chaudhry said some claimed India, with its billion-dollar military machine, could easily defeat Pakistan, and others suggested India should attack so its proxies could strike simultaneously. “But the world saw Pakistan confront the enemy on both fronts,” he said.

The ISPR DG noted that the consensus decision taken by all political parties in 2014 to eliminate terrorism in all its forms had yet to be fully implemented.

He said whenever steps were taken to deport illegal Afghan nationals involved in crimes, political and criminal elements within Pakistan raised objections. He stressed that full implementation of the 14 points of the National Action Plan was essential.

Calling Pakistanis the country’s greatest asset, he said gaps in governance were being filled every day through the sacrifices of the military, police and law enforcement agencies.