The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in cases linked to the May 9 riots. The court’s decision came after hearing multiple petitions filed against the former prime minister, who faced charges over protests and attacks on government and military properties earlier this year.
According to officials, the Supreme Court also reconstituted the bench handling the bail applications. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi has replaced Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb. The new three-member bench is now headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and includes Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui. Hearings on the bail applications are expected to continue in the coming days.
During the earlier hearing on August 12, Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of the PTI founder, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi represented the state. The Chief Justice questioned the Lahore High Court’s detailed verdict rejecting bail, noting that issuing final findings at the bail stage could unfairly impact the trial.
“If we touch upon legal findings at this stage, the case of either party may be affected,” observed Chief Justice Afridi. The court instructed lawyers from both sides to return prepared to address key legal points in the next session.
Separately, an Islamabad court dismissed the prosecution’s requests for physical remand of PTI workers in cases registered at Margalla and I-9 police stations. Additional District and Sessions Judge Shabbir Bhatti upheld the earlier decision to send the accused to judicial custody.
The defense argued that the First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed by unrelated individuals. Currently, 63 PTI workers face charges in connection with the unrest.
The Supreme Court’s latest ruling has drawn attention as it could shape the legal trajectory of cases tied to the May 9 incidents.
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