The Lahore High Court (LHC) has announced that it has reserved the verdict on the pre-arrest bail petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan. The petition seeks bail in all cases registered against him since May 9, the day he was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case and subsequent protests erupted.
Following Imran Khan’s arrest in the high-profile land corruption case, multiple cases were filed against the former prime minister due to the protests that ensued. During the hearing, the court questioned the absence of Imran Khan.
In response, Khan’s lawyer stated that his client would appear before the court by 11 am, although Khan had not yet arrived at the time of the proceedings.
The lawyer representing Punjab’s interim government opposed the bail plea, arguing that it was inadmissible. He emphasized that Imran Khan had not even appeared in court while seeking protective bail.
In defense, Khan’s lawyer clarified that the PTI chief was seeking pre-arrest bail rather than protective bail. He further requested the court to transfer the case to a larger bench.
Imran Khan had filed the plea on Saturday, a day after being released on bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the land corruption case. The petition encompasses all the new cases registered against him, with Khan asserting that he is a victim of political victimization and expressing concerns over the risk of arrest, as he has been nominated in several cases.
The respondents in the case include the Punjab inspector general and advocate general. The dramatic arrest of Imran Khan took place last week while he was undergoing biometric verification at the IHC. He was taken into custody by a heavy Rangers force, acting on orders from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and transported away in a black Rivo vehicle.
The arrest triggered violent protests across the country, with thousands of supporters and PTI workers taking to the streets. The demonstrations resulted in clashes with the police, vandalism, and attacks on state property and important installations, including the General Headquarters and Lahore Corps Commander House.
This series of events intensified tensions between Imran Khan and the incumbent government, leading to several cases being registered against Khan and other party leaders for their alleged involvement in inciting the riots.
The Lahore High Court’s decision on Imran Khan’s bail plea will have significant implications for his legal proceedings. It remains to be seen how the court will evaluate the arguments presented and whether it will grant or reject the requested pre-arrest bail. This case holds significance not only for Imran Khan but also for the country’s political landscape, as it addresses the balance between the right to peaceful protests and maintaining law and order.