SC approves bail pleas of Imran Khan in May 9 related 8 cases

In June, Lahore High Court rejected bail petitions filed by former prime minister in similar cases
ISLAMABAD
Supreme Court (SC) has approved bail pleas of Imran Khan in May 9 related 8 cases. SC has nullified Lahore High Court (LHC) decision.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and comprising Justice Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi announced short order after hearing the bail pleas Thursday.
CJP remarked the respondents should understand that court will not allow them to talk on central facts of the case. Merits have to be settled by the trial court itself.
The bench hearing the appeal pleas of Imran Khan was changed.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi was included in the bench in place of Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.
Counsel for the prosecution Zulfiqar Naqvi presented the arguments.
At the inception of hearing CJP inquired from prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi there are two questions of court from you.
The CJP said there are two questions of court from both of you.
You may have read Lahore High Court (LHC) decision. First question is can final finding be given in bail related case. The second question is the SC granted bail to the accused on treason case in the past. Will the principle of continuity apply to this case.
The prosecutor while giving arguments in the court said court’s observation in bail case is of interim nature always. Court’s observation makes no difference on trial of the case. SC maintained in different decisions from 1996 to 2024 the observations given in bail are of temporary nature.
The CJP remarked the respondents should understand that they will not be allowed to talk on central facts of case.
The CJP remarked SC granted bail in one case of May 9 despite accusations of treason. Tell us about this decision.
Special prosecutor told the court SC granted bail to 3 accused in the conspiracy related case. The accused were not nominated in FIR in one case of treason.
The court announced interval during the hearing of the case till 11.30 a.m.
After interval Justice Shafi Siddiqui inquired from prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi were the charges leveled against Ejaz Chaudhry related to presence on occasion and treason.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi inquired was Ejaz Chaudhry present on the occasion on May 9.
Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi said he cannot give a clear reply regarding presence of Ejaz Chaudhry on the occasion.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi said you are prosecutor and you don’t know the basic matter. The CJP Yahya Afridi inquired what are the evidence against Imran Khan. Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi said statements of 3 witnesses have been presented as evidence. Imran Khan has a central role in all cases.
The CJP remarked if we go to merit then Suleman Safdar will too talk. If SC gives observation on merit then trial will be influenced. My job is to caution you.
Suleman Safdar counsel for Imran Khan said I have all the cases of bail related to treason.
The CJP directed the special prosecutor to give details of the decision related to rejection of bail saying prosecutor should give reference to that case of SC wherein bail was annulled in treason case.
The CJP inquired is there any evidence with you against the accused.
Prosecutor said there is statement of 3 witnesses. photogrammetric , voice matching test are available.
Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi said whats app messages are available. High court had said give application in trial court with regard to different tests. Trial court allowed to conduct test but the accused in the jail did not cooperate.
The CJP Yahya Afridi said there will be legal consequences . You are saying this all why which is going only in your favor. Findings be not got from SC. Law itself will give you findings.
CJP remarked I am repeatedly saying don’t go to findings. SC is very cautious in finding in the matter of bail. Take findings from trial court. Evidence will come in trial court.
Justice Hassan Azhar remarked bail before arrest plea of the accused was approved on May 14. Was investigation conducted during this period. What cooperation was made.
The court approved bail of Imran Khan.