Pakistani court denies bail to ex-PM Imran Khan in May 9 riot cases

A Pakistani court rejected on Wednesday post-arrest bail petitions filed by former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to violent protests that erupted across the country on May 9, 2023, following his arrest.

The Lahore High Court’s two-judge panel said in a written verdict that Khan, who founded the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was not just a participant but a central figure in orchestrating attacks on military sites and government buildings during the unrest.

Khan, who remains in prison and faces dozens of cases, was denied bail on the grounds that he obstructed the investigation and is now being probed for treason -- one of the most serious charges under Pakistani law.

Refused to cooperate with investigation

The court said Khan refused to undergo several critical forensic tests, including a polygraph (lie detector), voice-matching, and photogrammetric analysis. His refusal, the judges ruled, was a deliberate act that hampered the investigation.

“The petitioner obstructed the investigation by refusing to undergo polygraphic, voice match and photogrammetric tests,” the court said. “He is alleged to have hatched a criminal conspiracy which ultimately resulted in the loss of human lives and damage to public and private property.”

The ruling added that Khan could not be granted the same legal relief as his co-accused because of his alleged leadership role in organizing the protests.

Pre-attack planning and phone data cited

The court judgment referenced official witness statements and prosecution documents that claimed Khan held a meeting on May 7, 2023—two days before the violence began. During this meeting, he allegedly instructed senior PTI leaders to prepare party workers for mass protests in case of his arrest, and to target sensitive government and military installations.

Prosecutors also presented geo-fencing data and call records showing over 400 calls exchanged between PTI leaders and workers on May 9. The court said this evidence supported claims of coordinated attacks, including on the residence of a top military commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House.

Witnesses back state’s version of events

The court included in its verdict the full testimonies of two witnesses—Hussam Afzal and Asmat Kamal—who supported the prosecution’s account. Defense lawyers had argued that their statements came too late to be credible, but the judges dismissed that reasoning.

“The delay in recording statements… is not sufficient ground to extend the concession of bail at this stage,” the ruling said. “Their statements support the prosecution version.”

Treason investigation

The court said Khan is now being investigated for treason, a charge that implies attempting to undermine or betray the state. While no formal indictment on that charge has been filed, the judges indicated that the evidence collected so far points in that direction.

“In view of the allegations and material collected so far, it is evident that the petitioner is being investigated for charges which include treason,” the court stated.

“In collective consideration of the facts mentioned supra, we are not inclined to grant post-arrest bail to the petitioner and being so, this petition is dismissed,” the bench concluded.

The verdict was reserved on June 24 after the court had issued a brief verbal order. Wednesday’s written judgment elaborated on the court’s reasoning in denying bail for all eight First Information Reports (FIRs), which include charges under anti-terrorism laws, sedition, and criminal conspiracy.

What’s the case?

Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023, by paramilitary forces from the Islamabad High Court premises, triggering violent protests across Pakistan.

Demonstrators stormed military buildings and symbols of state power—a rare and severe challenge to the powerful Pakistani military.

Though many PTI leaders and supporters arrested during the protests have since been released on bail, the Lahore High Court ruled that Khan’s role was fundamentally different.

The ruling underscores the widening legal peril facing the former prime minister, who led the country from 2018 until he was ousted by Parliament in a no-confidence vote in 2022. 

Khan and his supporters claim the charges against him are politically motivated, while authorities insist they are responding to attacks on national security and public order.