Imran Khan’s Release
ISLAMABAD: Rumors suggesting the potential release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan before Eid ul Adha have been categorically denied by both the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and senior government officials.
According to a report on Sunday, no such development is underway, and even PTI insiders do not anticipate Khan’s release during the upcoming religious holiday.
The speculation, widely circulated across political circles and segments of the media, hinted at a possible political deal or favorable court decision that might pave the way for Khan’s early release.
However, NAB has clarified that no case involving the former prime minister is currently before any court in a state that could result in immediate bail or release. A NAB source confirmed, “There is no notice issued to NAB in any matter that could lead to Khan’s release before Eid.”
The official stressed that due legal process must be followed, including the mandatory hearing of the prosecution before any relief can be granted to a convicted individual — none of which has occurred.
Government officials echoed this stance, insisting that no political understanding or backdoor negotiations are underway. “There is no deal, no negotiation, and certainly no offer on the table,” a senior official stated, requesting anonymity.
Imran Khan’s legal counsel, Naeem Haider Panjotha, also rejected the speculation during a press talk outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi. Addressing the media following a hearing related to the May 9 riots, Panjotha asserted, “There is neither any deal nor any leniency being considered. These are baseless rumors.”
Despite these repeated denials, some PTI members and political commentators have pinned hopes on the upcoming June 5 hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have filed petitions seeking suspension of their convictions in the Toshakhana case.
Nonetheless, NAB insiders have reaffirmed that they have not yet received any notice regarding this matter.
Legal experts caution that such proceedings are typically slow, often requiring multiple hearings before any interim relief can be granted. They point to procedural delays and the significant backlog in the court system as key hurdles.
Further dampening hopes of an early reprieve, the IHC recently clarified that Khan’s appeal against his 14-year sentence in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case is unlikely to be heard during 2025.
A report submitted by the IHC registrar’s office to a division bench revealed that the appeal — filed in January this year — remains at the preliminary motion stage. It also noted that 279 convict appeals are currently pending, including dozens involving death or life sentences.
The backlog and the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee’s directive to prioritize older cases mean that Khan’s appeal does not qualify for early scheduling. In light of these developments, legal analysts widely agree that any expectations of Imran Khan’s release before Eid are legally and procedurally unfounded.
