ATC Rejects Imran Khan’s Bail in 9 May Riots Cases, Declares Him Guilty
Lahore:The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan guilty in cases related to the violent events of 9 May, rejecting his bail in eight different cases. The written decision, issued by ATC Judge Manzoor Ali Gill, confirmed the dismissal of Imran Khan’s bail applications, stating that the evidence presented by the prosecution was sufficient to support the charges against him.
In the six-page judgment, the court referenced the testimonies of witnesses involved in the alleged conspiracy planned at Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park. The prosecution presented audio and visual evidence that showed Khan had incited violence and instructed his followers to attack military installations in the event of his possible arrest.
The court’s ruling states that Imran Khan allegedly masterminded a conspiracy related to his anticipated arrest, planning to have his supporters paralyze state machinery by targeting key institutions. Imran’s lawyer argued that Khan was already under arrest during the incidents of 9 May, and thus could not have orchestrated the violence. However, the court rejected this argument, asserting that the conspiracy was planned before his arrest.
The judgment further emphasized that the case against Imran Khan was not a trivial one, as it involved serious charges of conspiracy and incitement to violence. The court noted that the instructions from Imran Khan were not only followed by PTI leaders but also by his workers and supporters, leading to widespread attacks on military facilities, government institutions, and police personnel.
The written decision also referred to the Lahore High Court’s remarks on Imran Khan’s role in the conspiracy, noting that secret police officers had overheard conversations regarding the planned violence. The prosecution claimed that the conspiracy was formulated at Zaman Park on 7 and 9 May, with clear directives from Khan.
The court further observed that despite the severe consequences of the 9 May attacks, including the assault on police officers and military targets, PTI leadership did not hesitate to follow Khan’s instructions. As a result, the court concluded that Imran Khan’s bail in the cases was unjustified and issued an order to cancel it.
The ruling brings a major legal setback for Imran Khan, as his bail has been revoked in connection with multiple charges related to the May 9 riots, which rocked the nation.
