Lahore:
On Tuesday, Lahore High Court rejected the petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in eight cases linked to May 9, 2023, riots, which caused sharp criticism from the party, which called the ruling an “blurry spontor of justice”.
The decision, held by a two-member bench led by Justice Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, followed the end of arguments from both prosecution and defense.
Imran’s legal team had claimed that the former prime minister was implicated without credible evidence while he was already in custody and denied any involvement in the violence.
On May 9, unrest broke out nationwide following Khan’s arrest in a transplant case and included attacks on civilian and military installations, including Lahores Jinnah House.
The prosecution claimed that Khan urged supporters to target military facilities and cited forensic evidence, including audio recordings, which Khan allegedly refused to verify via voting matching.
PTI’s legal adviser claimed the charges were politically driven and based on vague allegations of dismissal. They argued that the cases were part of a wider campaign to discredit the party and its leader.
In a heavily formulated statement, PTI Punjab expressed deep disappointment and accused the judiciary of operating under political influence.
“The courts have failed to maintain the principles of justice,” the party said, promising to continue its legal struggle, launching a peaceful protest movement that requires democratic restoration and release of politically imprisoned.
Imran, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, is still a central figure in Pakistani politics despite his radiance in April 2022 through a vote without confidence. Several PTI leaders and workers remain jailed over the events on May 9, while others have been given bail.
The party claims that the ongoing legal acts are an attempt to settle the country’s greatest political strength ahead of critical political transitions.
