ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi today expressed reservations over certain observations made by the Lahore High Court (LHC) while rejecting former prime minister Imran Khan’s bail petitions in eight cases linked to the May 9 riots.
In November 2024, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore denied bail to Imran in cases related to the violence, including the attack on the Lahore corps commander’s residence. The LHC upheld that decision on June 24. Days later, the incarcerated PTI founder approached the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling.
A three-member SC bench, headed by CJP Afridi and comprising Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, resumed hearings on the matter. Barrister Salman Safdar represented Imran, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi appeared for the state.
During the proceedings, CJP Afridi questioned whether a court could issue “final observations” in a bail case, noting that such comments could potentially prejudice the trial. He stressed that, for now, the Supreme Court would avoid examining the correctness of the LHC’s findings and would focus solely on legal questions.
“The Supreme Court will not issue any such findings that may affect the case,” the chief justice said, directing both parties to be prepared to assist the court on legal points at the next hearing.
Safdar’s request to address the court from the rostrum was denied, and the bench subsequently issued notices to the Punjab government, adjourning the hearing until August 19.
Background and Allegations
A two-member SC bench had earlier taken up the bail pleas on June 29 but adjourned without issuing notices due to Safdar’s absence.
In the petition, Imran’s legal team argued that he was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau at the time of the May 9 violence, making his alleged role “impossible.” The appeal accused the LHC of relying on “engineered and fabricated evidence,” including delayed statements from police officials.
The LHC’s detailed verdict, delivered by Justices Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, cited prosecution evidence alleging that Imran instructed PTI leaders to attack military installations if he was arrested from the Islamabad High Court. Witnesses claimed these directives were given at meetings held in Chakri, Rawalpindi, on May 4, and at Imran’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore from May 7 to 9, 2023.
