Imran Khan's bail pleas rejected in May 9 cases

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has rejected the bail petitions of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in eight cases linked to the May 9 violence, including the attack on Jinnah House.

The judgment, reserved earlier by ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gul, was announced on Monday, dismissing the bail requests.

The charges involve incidents of vandalism, arson, and attacks on public and military properties, including the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks, arson at the Shadman police station, and the burning of police vehicles at Rahat Bakery Chowk and Zaman Park.

Imran Khan, incarcerated at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail since August last year, has remained in detention following multiple legal proceedings. Earlier this month, a Rawalpindi ATC approved a five-day physical remand of the PTI chairman in a separate vandalism case.

The rejection of bail petitions follows the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) decision last week to grant bail to the former premier in the Toshakhana case, which involves the alleged illegal sale of state gifts.

However, hours after the IHC ruling, Khan was arrested in another vandalism case, extending his detention.