Pakistan’s Chief Justice, Yahya Afridi, on Tuesday questioned the Lahore High Court’s rejection of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s bail applications. A three-judge Supreme Court bench, led by the Chief Justice and including Justice Shafi Siddiqui and Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb, heard eight appeals from Khan. The court issued notices to the Punjab provincial administration and instructed the prosecution to address specific legal points.
Chief Justice Afridi questioned the High Court’s commentary on the case’s merits during a bail hearing. He asked, ‘Can definitive observations be made in a bail proceeding?’ and requested legal counsel to clarify this crucial legal matter.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the Supreme Court would avoid any prejudicial findings and would base its decision solely on legal merit. The hearing was adjourned until August 19, with instructions for both sides’ lawyers to be prepared to discuss the legal issues raised.
Khan appealed to the Supreme Court under Article 185(3) of the Constitution, challenging the Lahore High Court’s June 24, 2025 order denying his post-arrest bail related to the May 9 incidents. Currently detained at Adiala Jail, Khan seeks post-arrest bail in FIR No. 103/2023, filed on May 12, 2023, at Lahore’s Sarwar Road Police Station.
He faces numerous grave accusations under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860, including Sections 324, 395, 436, 427, 290, 291, 148, 149, 337L(ii), 34, 109, 120-B, 121, 121A, 131, 146, 153, 153-A, 153-B, and 505, along with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.
On June 24, 2025, the Lahore High Court denied Khan’s post-arrest bail, stating that the allegations fell under the prohibitory clause of Section 497 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.P.C.). The court found that Khan’s legal team failed to establish any grounds for further investigation into his purported involvement. The High Court also distinguished Khan’s case from his co-accused, justifying different legal handling.