KARACHI, Dec 23: A local court in Islamabad on Tuesday stayed the arrest of the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in five criminal cases, including those linked to the violence of May 9, granting them interim relief until January 27, 2026.
The Islamabad District and Sessions Court ordered that no arrest be made in the five related cases until the next hearing and extended the couple’s pre-arrest bail, offering temporary legal protection while their bail applications remain pending.
The proceedings were conducted by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka.
Arguments on the bail pleas could not be presented as the PTI founder was unavailable to appear before the court.
As a result, the judge adjourned the matter and directed Khan to ensure his appearance at the next hearing, either in person or via video link. The court then formally deferred the hearing on the bail applications to Jan 27.
Advocate Shamsa Kayani represented both Khan and Bushra Bibi. She sought an adjournment, telling the court that substantive arguments could not be advanced in the absence of her client.
The interim relief comes shortly after a detailed verdict was issued in the Toshakhana II case, in which Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 17 years of imprisonment.
The court in that case ruled that state gifts were illegally retained and not deposited in the Toshakhana, the official repository for gifts received by public office holders. Both were also fined Rs16.4 million ($59,000) each.
Khan, who served as premier from 2018 – 2022 is facing a barrage of legal cases, with several being connected to the May 9 violence, triggered by his incarceration, which led to thousands of PTI workers and supporters to embark on nationwide march against authorities.
The resultant violence was unprecedented in its impact, as demonstrators clashed with security personnel, vandalised public property, and for the first time attacked military installations.
The May 9 riots also led to Khan being charged with sedition, and terrorism, with additional allegations against him including attempted murder, the submission of fake receipts, bribery, and other related charges.
A separate case has been registered against Bushra Bibi, accusing her of submitting forged receipts.
With the court’s interim orders in place, both she and the PTI founder are required to comply strictly with judicial directions ahead of the next hearing.
The cases linked to the massive violence on May 9, 2023 remain one of the most sensitive cases in Pakistan, given its scale, the targets, and the state’s subsequent brutal crackdown on PTI leaders and supporters.
The court’s latest order offers temporary relief but leaves the legal uncertainty surrounding Khan and his wife unresolved as the proceedings move towards the next hearing in late January.
(UNI)
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