ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) held hearing of former premier and Pakistan Tehree-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s appeals against cancellation of his bail pleas.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi, and including Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui heard the case. Imran Khan has challenged the court’s decision to cancel his bail pleas in eight cases pertaining to May 9, 2023 events.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja appeared in court. Addressing him, CJP Afridi said that a request for adjournment in the case has been received. Raja responded that Imran Khan’s lawyer Salman Safdar is abroad and has taken a general adjournment, adding “It would be appropriate for the court to issue a notice.”
In response, the Supreme Court bench adjourned further hearing until August 12. However, the bench rejected the request to issue a notice.
EARLIER MAY 9 VERDICTS
Earlier this month, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore issued a verdict in May 9 cases of other PTI leaders, in which Shah Mehmood Qureshi was acquitted.
The ATC had also ruled in favor of Hamza Azeem, Rana Tanveer, and others, stating that the prosecution had not proven its case against them. Additionally, six accused individuals were acquitted on the grounds of benefit of doubt.
In contrast, Yasmin Rashid, Mian Mahmood Rashid, and Ijaz Chaudhry were found guilty. Umar Sarfaraz Cheema and eight others were also convicted.
The court sentenced the guilty parties to 10 years of imprisonment with rigorous labor under Section 120 B. They were also sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 under Section 440. All sentences are to run concurrently.
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