Imran Khan Secures Bail In May 9 Violence Cases, Still Jailed In Al-Qadir Trust Scandal

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9, 2023 violence, when his arrest triggered widespread vandalism by his supporters.

According to a report by Deccan Chronicle the decision came from a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Afridi, alongside Justices Shafi Siddiqui and Miangul Aurangzeb, after hearing arguments from Khan's lawyer Salman Safdar and Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi. Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), celebrated the verdict on social media, trending the hashtag "Victory For Imran Khan."

PTI's international spokesman Zulfiqar Bukhari stated that the PTI chief now requires bail in only one remaining case - the Al-Qadir Trust graft case - before he can be released. "Supreme Court has granted bail to Imran Khan for May 9th cases, now bail is needed for just one more case (Al-Qadir case) for Mr. Khan to come out of jail," Bukhari said.

The 72-year-old leader has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail since August 2023 after his conviction in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case. Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, his bail pleas in the Lahore anti-terrorism court and the Lahore High Court had both been dismissed.

Imran Khan, who was ousted from office in April 2022, continues to battle multiple cases ranging from graft to terrorism, leaving his political future uncertain despite Thursday's relief.