The Lahore High Court on Tuesday dismissed bail applications filed by PTI founder Imran Khan in eight cases connected to the May 9, 2023, riots. The decision, issued by a two-judge bench headed by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, came after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence. PTI criticized the ruling as a “clear miscarriage of justice.”
Khan’s lawyers argued that he was falsely implicated without substantial proof while already in custody and denied any role in the violent protests that broke out following his arrest. The prosecution, however, accused Khan of inciting attacks on military sites, referencing audio evidence he allegedly refused to authenticate.
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PTI’s legal team maintained that the cases were politically motivated and built on vague abetment charges to malign the party and its leader. In a sharp reaction, PTI Punjab accused the judiciary of bias, pledging to escalate peaceful protests and demand the release of political prisoners.
Imran Khan, imprisoned since August 2023 following several convictions, remains a major political figure despite being removed from office in April 2022. The party claims the legal actions are aimed at weakening PTI ahead of upcoming political developments, with several members still behind bars while some have been granted bail.
