On Tuesday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected the bail petitions of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight May 9 cases, which include the one related to the attack on Jinnah House.
A two-member bench, led by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, announced the reserved verdict after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense teams.
Imran Khan had submitted these bail applications in connection with several cases registered against him following the widespread violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023, subsequent to his arrest.
Previously, on November 27, 2024, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) had also dismissed Imran Khan’s bail pleas in these same eight cases.
Understanding the May 9 Unrest
On May 9, 2023, a significant number of PTI workers and supporters engaged in nearly nationwide demonstrations. This occurred after the PTI founding chairman was arrested by paramilitary troops on directives from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) concerning an alleged corruption case.
The protestors caused extensive damage to both public and private properties. They attacked military installations, specifically the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), and desecrated monuments dedicated to martyrs.
Following these incidents, both the civilian and military leadership resolved to ensure exemplary punishment, under relevant laws including the Army Act, for all individuals involved in the hooliganism, arson, ransacking of public and private properties, attacks on sensitive military installations, and desecration of martyrs’ monuments on May 9.
The deposed prime minister, who was removed from power through an opposition no-confidence motion in April 2022, has been facing numerous charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as premier.
Imran Khan has remained incarcerated since August 2023, having been sentenced in multiple cases prior to the February 8 elections.
