The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9, 2023 riots — a significant legal victory for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, who remains imprisoned on other charges.
The three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and comprising Justices Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, resumed hearings on the bail petitions today. Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of Imran Khan, while Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi represented the state.
In November 2024, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore had denied him bail in the riot-related cases, including a high-profile attack on the Lahore corps commander’s residence. That denial was upheld by the Lahore High Court (LHC) on June 24, 2025. Imran’s legal team then challenged the LHC ruling before the Supreme Court.
During today’s proceedings, both parties concluded their arguments, after which the CJP announced the bench’s decision in favor of granting bail. Despite this legal breakthrough, Imran Khan remains incarcerated at Adiala Jail, where he has been held since August 2023. He is currently serving a sentence in the £190 million graft case involving state gifts and faces additional trials connected to the May 9 events.
The PTI celebrated the ruling across social media platforms, calling it a “Victory For Imran Khan” and reigniting hopes among supporters for broader legal relief.
Earlier in the hearing, the Punjab prosecutor informed the court that he had been unable to appear the previous day due to illness. CJP Afridi posed two key legal questions regarding the LHC’s handling of Khan’s previous bail petitions. “Can a final observation be made in a bail case?” he asked, pointing to the implications of precedent.
Following a brief break, Naqvi requested to present arguments on the merits of the case, but CJP Afridi declined. “We will not allow anyone to argue on the merits of the case. You may only answer legal questions pertaining to the conspiracy charge,” he said firmly.
With this Supreme Court ruling, Imran Khan has cleared an important legal hurdle, though several other cases — including serious corruption and riot-related charges — continue to loom over the former prime minister’s political future.
