Pak Supreme Court Grants Imran Khan Bail in Eight May 9 Riot Cases

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has granted bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eight cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots, where his supporters attacked government and military properties. Despite this bail, Khan remains imprisoned as he faces additional charges, including a 14-year sentence for a major corruption case and pending bail in a ninth case linked to the same violence. The court emphasized that evidence against Khan, including witness testimonies and electronic data, must be examined during the trial, not at the bail stage. Khan's legal team argued he was in custody during the riots, challenging the allegations, which the Supreme Court noted need thorough scrutiny at trial. The decision sparked celebrations among Khan's supporters amid a tense political environment marked by prior violent protests and widespread arrests of PTI members. Amid these developments, Khan has also been active politically, nominating opposition leaders in Pakistan's National Assembly and Senate.