A district and sessions court in Islamabad has granted pre-arrest bail to PTI Chief and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in two cases related to May 9 events. This is a welcoming development for the PTI Chief.
According to the details, the sessions court granted bail to PTI Chief Imran Khan in two cases registered against him at the Shehzad Town Police Station. A four-page written order on the pre-arrest bail has been issued in both cases.
In the written judgment by Additional Sessions Judge Farrukh Farid, the court ruled that the prosecution must prove that the accused instigated the offense. The judge also emphasised that the provision concerning incitement or conspiracy has been subject to misinterpretation.
*اسلام آباد سیشن جج فرخ فرید بلوچ نے 9 مئی کے حوالے سے چئیرمین عمران خان پر دو جھوٹے مقدمات کی ضمانت کے فیصلے میں پولیس کا بیان اور دئیے گئے “شواہد” کو مضحکہ خیز قرار دے دیا*
یاد رہے کہ پنجاب میں اسی نوعیت کے درجنوں جھوٹے کیسز میں عمران خان کو نامزد کیا گیا ہے-
*کیس کے تفصیلی… pic.twitter.com/hBnIceBgdD
— Tehreek-e-Insaf (@InsafPK) July 22, 2023
Read more: Unmasking Disinformation: The 9 May Attacks and its Impact on Pakistan
The written verdict stated that to establish abetment, a connection between the act and the commission of the crime must be proven, demonstrating that the offense occurred due to provocation.
The court added that the purpose of handing over the petitioner to the police would be nothing but “unnecessary humiliation”. It was written in the order that the pre-arrest bail was granted against the payment of surety bonds worth Rs 5,000.
The written verdict is being hailed by PTI leaders and members of Pakistan’s media fraternity.
اللہ الحق ہے! pic.twitter.com/0jbjtsCHdJ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) July 22, 2023
ایڈیشنل ڈسٹرکٹ سیشن جج فرخ فرید بلوچ کیجانب سے عمران خان کی ضمانت کنفرمیشن کا فیصلہ پڑھنے کے لائق ہے
پراسیکوشن عمران خان پر الزامات ثابت کرنے میں ناکام۔
جج صاحب لکھتے جب 9 مئی کے واقعات ہوئے تو عمران خان گرفتار تھے
یہ مطلب نکالنا مضحکہ خیز ہوگا کہ عمران خان نے اپنے آپکو اسلام… pic.twitter.com/2hKNDVYIS6— Farrukh Habib (@FarrukhHabibISF) July 22, 2023
There goes the narrative.
Hope the judge is not transferred to Torkham border now. pic.twitter.com/ZvLFi5Yy80— Hammad Azhar (@Hammad_Azhar) July 22, 2023
"عمران خان کو مقدمے میں نامزد کرنا "بدنیتی" کو ظاہر کرتا ہے" – فیصلہ
بےشک اللّه جسے چاہے عزت دے اور جسے چاہے ذلت دے۔
اور بےشک اللّه کی لاٹھی بےآواز ہے !! 👌 pic.twitter.com/k6b2Yrf2Rg
— Maleeha Hashmey (@MaleehaHashmey) July 22, 2023
Whether you like the decision or not its tremendously bold of the judge to declare Imran Khan’s statements unprovocative saying Khan’s statements did not incite violent attacks on May 9th in the country. pic.twitter.com/1WBxp2gOzP
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) July 22, 2023
On May 9th, violent protests were triggered in Pakistan after PTI Chief Imran Khan was sent to jail in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Clashes erupted between protestors and the police authorities which also resulted in attacks on state and military property, for instance, the GHQ.
In response, the government launched an intense crackdown against PTI, arresting its workers and senior leadership. The military’s top brass also vowed to deal with the rioters in the strongest possible terms by justice through trial under relevant laws of the country, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.
While Imran Khan repeatedly distanced himself and his party from the May 9 attacks, the government named Imran Khan for instigating his followers to create the May 9 mayhem. On Friday, a special prosecutor also told an anti-terrorism court (ATC) that a joint investigation team had completed its job to the extent of PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s role in the May 9 incidents and found him guilty of abetment and other charges.
Read more: Pak Army dismisses high ranking military officers over May 9 riots