Imran Khan gets bail in 12 cases

Desk Report

Publisted at 5:22 PM, Sat Feb 10th, 2024

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been granted bail in 12 different cases related to the May 9 riots.

An anti-terrorism court approved the bail petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and the party's senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in 12 separate cases connected to the May 9 riots, as reported by Geo News.

Earlier today, the court also granted bail and ordered the release of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed in the same case.

Imran Khan was granted bail, while his party-backed candidates secured victory in the most seats - 98 out of the 245 counted by 1830 GMT in the election. On the other hand, Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won 69 seats, while the Pakistan People's Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the son of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, obtained 51.

Shiraz Ahmed Ranjha, a PTI lawyer, represented Khan and Qureshi in court, while the judge rejected the prosecution's request to reschedule the hearing.

The decision was issued after a hearing held on February 6. The court had summoned Khan, Qureshi, and the AML chief to appear earlier this week, following orders given during a hearing on February 3.

On December 27, Qureshi was initially arrested in a General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case from Adiala jail. Later, he was booked in 12 other cases related to violent May 9 protests, while Khan was arrested in the GHQ attack case on January 9.

The May 9 riots erupted across the country following the arrest of the deposed prime minister Imran Khan in a case. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were imprisoned for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations.

During the protests, miscreants targeted civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9th as the "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

The approval of petitions by both politicians comes two days after the country witnessed its 10th general elections on February 8.

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