IK granted pre-arrest bail in six cases

ISLAMABAD: A local court has granted pre-arrest bail to jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan in six cases, including the May 9 cases and one case against his wife, ruling that the prosecution failed to produce evidence supporting the allegations.District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka, in his detailed verdict on Khan’s pre-arrest bail in six cases, addressed matters related to the May 9 violence, the 2023 protests, alleged defamatory remarks against senior Pakistan Army officials, an attempted murder case filed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, the Azad March case, and the Toshakhana fake receipts case against his wife, Bushra Bibi.In the May 9 protest case, the court ruled that Khan was not present at the time or place of the alleged incident. The prosecution had alleged that PTI workers opened fire on police personnel and blocked a road on Khan’s instructions.However, the court noted that no material evidence was produced to establish that Khan had ordered the co-accused to fire at police or block the road. Consequently, the court accepted the petition and confirmed Khan’s interim bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000.In another May 9-related case, the court similarly ruled that Khan was not present at the scene. Although the FIR alleged that the co-accused individuals blocked the road after being provoked by Khan, the court found no material evidence or witness testimony to substantiate claims of provocation.Regarding allegations that Khan delivered a speech defaming Pakistan Army officers and inciting unrest, the court examined the applicability of Section 131 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The judge ruled that there was no evidence on record indicating that Khan abetted mutiny or attempted to seduce armed forces personnel from their duty.In another case related to the May 9 protest case, the court also ruled that the petitioner was not present at the time and place of the occurrence. The co-accused were allegedly raising slogans against the government. It is alleged in the FIR that on the provocation of the petitioner, co accused blocked the road. No material is available against the petitioner regarding the act of provoking, which was witnessed by any witness.In the attempted murder case filed by PML-N Barrister Mohsin Nawaz Ranjha, the court observed that Khan was not present at the time and location of the alleged assault. The only accusation was that the co-accused acted on his abetment. The court found no evidence supporting the claim of abetment and granted bail.In the Toshakhana fake receipts case, the court approved pre-arrest bail for both the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi. According to the written order, the prosecution failed to present any evidence against them.Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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