Web Desk
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore has extended the bail of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in cases related to the May 9 violence, which included the vandalism of Jinnah House and Askari Tower.
The May 9 incident resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, with 290 others sustaining injuries, after Imran Khan’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Protesters had also attacked the residence of the corps commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House, and damaged a gate at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
As a result, over 1,900 protesters were arrested in clashes with law enforcement personnel across the country, and cases were filed against Imran Khan and his party workers.
Previously, on May 19, Judge Ijaz Ahmad Buttar had granted bail to the former prime minister in the three cases until June 2, subject to the submission of surety bonds worth Rs100,000 each.
During the recent hearing, the judge instructed Imran Khan to approach the rostrum, emphasizing the need for his participation in the investigation. Imran cited threats to his life as a reason for not cooperating fully.
In response, Imran’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, stated that his client was willing to join the probe but requested that all the cases be scheduled for hearing on the same day. Safdar assured the court that he would present arguments in all three cases and suggested fixing the hearing date for June 20, pledging Imran’s compliance once the court issued the order.
Consequently, Judge Buttar granted Imran permission to leave and extended his bail.
LHC Extends Imran’s Bail in Zille Shah Murder Case
After the ATC hearing, Imran Khan appeared before the Lahore High Court (LHC) for the hearing on his bail petition in a case related to the concealment of facts and evidence in the death of a PTI worker, Zille Shah, in a road accident.
Imran arrived at the court under tight security, with a video posted on PTI’s official Twitter account showing his vehicle surrounded by a large contingent of security personnel outside the LHC.
Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun presided over the case and extended Imran’s bail until June 6, as the former prime minister joined the investigation and provided a statement to the police.
Earlier, the LHC had granted Imran bail in the case until June 2.
During the brief hearing, the judge inquired whether Imran had been involved in the murder investigation. The investigating officer (IO) responded that the PTI chief had not yet participated in the probe.
The court then directed the IO to record Imran’s statement after the hearing, allowing for any necessary questioning. The government’s counsel objected, stating that the statement should not be recorded in the presence of the petitioner’s lawyers.
The judge asked Imran if he would answer the questions posed to him, to which the PTI chief replied, “Yes, I am absolutely ready.”
Consequently, the court extended Imran’s bail until June 6, and following the proceedings, the former premier cooperated with the police and provided his statement.
