Imran Khan Granted Bail by Pakistan Supreme Court in May 9 Violence Cases
In a pivotal legal decision, Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight cases associated with the violent events of May 9, 2023, which followed his arrest.
The ruling was delivered by a three-member Bench led by Chief Justice Afridi, with Justices Shafi Siddiqui and Miangul Aurangzeb participating. Arguments were presented by Khan’s attorney Salman Safdar and Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi before the decision was announced.
Background: May 9 Violence Cases
The arrest of Khan in May 2023 sparked widespread protests and acts of vandalism, including attacks on military properties such as the residence of Lahore's corps commander. Numerous cases were lodged against Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leaders for allegedly encouraging the disturbances.
Khan, aged 72, had previously sought bail from an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, which denied his request in November 2024. Following the Lahore High Court's rejection of his petition in June 2025, Khan appealed to the Supreme Court.
PTI’s Reaction: “Victory for Imran Khan”
The PTI party embraced the court's decision, touting it as a “Victory For Imran Khan” on social media platforms. Zulfiqar Bukhari, PTI’s international spokesman, remarked, “Supreme Court has granted bail to Imran Khan for May 9th cases, now bail is needed for just one more case (Al-Qadir case) for Mr. Khan to come out of jail.”
Why Imran Khan Still Won’t Walk Free
Despite the favorable ruling, Khan remains detained at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi due to his conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case. Since August 2023, he has been serving a sentence related to graft charges that emerged after he was ousted from office in April 2022.
What’s Next?
Legal analysts suggest that Thursday’s bail grant is a crucial step towards Khan's possible release, yet his immediate release is contingent upon obtaining bail in the Al-Qadir case. Until this is achieved, Khan remains incarcerated, even as PTI supporters celebrate what they perceive as a moral triumph.
