LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday rejected the bail applications of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight separate cases related to the May 9 unrest, including the high-profile Jinnah House attack case.
A two-member bench led by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi announced the reserved verdict after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence. The cases stem from a series of violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023, following Imran Khan’s arrest by paramilitary forces on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau in a corruption case.
The demonstrations, largely led by PTI supporters, escalated into widespread violence. Protesters attacked military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence, commonly known as Jinnah House. Public and private properties were damaged, and monuments dedicated to fallen soldiers were desecrated.
In the aftermath, civil and military leadership vowed to bring all involved to justice under various laws, including the Army Act. Imran Khan, who was removed from office through a no-confidence vote in April 2022, has since faced a range of criminal charges, from corruption to terrorism.
Previously, on November 27, 2024, the Anti-Terrorism Court had also dismissed his bail applications in the same cases. Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 after receiving sentences in multiple legal proceedings ahead of the general elections held on February 8, 2025.
