ISLAMABAD; The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, on Tuesday issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s bail petitions challenging a Lahore High Court (LHC) decision in the May 9 violence cases.
The three-member bench resumed hearings on multiple appeals filed by Khan against the LHC’s rejection of his post-arrest bail requests.
During the proceedings, CJP Afridi observed that certain findings were attached to the petitions but clarified that the apex court would not, at this stage, comment on their accuracy or delve into the legal aspects, to avoid influencing either party.
He further asked whether final observations could be made in a bail matter, instructing lawyers from both sides to prepare their legal arguments for the next hearing. The case was adjourned until August 19.
Imran Khan, currently held at Adiala Jail, moved the Supreme Court under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, seeking permission to appeal against the June 24, 2025 LHC order that dismissed his post-arrest bail plea.
The FIR in question (No. 103/2023) was registered on May 12, 2023, at Lahore’s Sarwar Road police station under multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The LHC, in its impugned decision, ruled that the alleged offences fell within the prohibitory clause of Section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code, and that Khan’s counsel failed to demonstrate circumstances warranting further inquiry. The court also held that his case was not comparable to that of his co-accused.
