PTI founder’s freedom is still a few steps away: Experts
By Our Correspondent
ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to PTI founder Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9 incidents, overturning the Lahore High Court’s earlier decision.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi heard Khan’s petitions. During the hearing, the bench asked both the prosecution and the defense two tough questions: whether final findings could be given in a bail case, and whether the “principle of consistency” applied since the top court had earlier granted bail in conspiracy-related cases.
The Chief Justice remarked that in almost all recent conspiracy cases, the Supreme Court had allowed bail. He told the prosecution to show an example where bail had been denied in a conspiracy case.
Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi argued that in this case, social media evidence pointed to conspiracy. However, the Chief Justice made it clear that the court would not dig deep into the merits at the bail stage, stressing that “the trial court will have the last word.”
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Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar cited several past bail rulings in conspiracy cases. The Chief Justice responded that refusing bail in such cases was “a hard nut to crack” and that observations in bail cases were always temporary in nature.
Earlier, the bench was reconstituted, with Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi replacing Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb.
The court later set aside the Lahore High Court ruling and approved Khan’s bail in all eight May 9 cases.
It is worth noting that yesterday’s hearing was adjourned after the prosecutor fell ill, but the case came back on track today.
Will Imran be set free from the jail?
The Supreme Court’s decision is a major relief for Imran Khan, but it doesn’t mean he will walk free just yet. While getting bail in the May 9 cases takes a heavy weight off his shoulders, he still faces several other legal battles that could keep him behind bars, experts said. For now, this ruling boosts his political standing, gives his party fresh energy, and paints him as a leader who continues to “weather the storm.” However, his actual release depends on the outcome of the remaining cases, meaning freedom is still a few steps away, they added.
