Pak court extends interim bail of Imran Khan, wife Bushra Bibi in May 9 cases

A Pakistani court on Tuesday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in cases linked to the May 9 violence, as well as in several other matters.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka , who heard the bail applications, directed that the 73-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder must appear at the next hearing either in person or via video link. The court adjourned the proceedings till January 27, according to Dawn.

Advocate Shamsa Kayani represented both Khan and Bushra Bibi during the hearing. Apart from the May 9 cases, Khan faces multiple charges, including attempted murder and the alleged submission of fake receipts.

A separate case relating to the alleged submission of forged receipts connected to Toshakhana gifts has also been registered against Bushra Bibi.

In a related development, Additional District and Sessions Judge Chaudhry Amir Zia extended Bushra Bibi’s interim bail in another pre-arrest bail application and similarly adjourned the matter till January 27. In that case, she has been booked at Islamabad’s Ramna police station under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act and other relevant laws.

The May 9 cases stem from violent protests and vandalism carried out by Khan’s supporters in 2023 following his arrest in Islamabad.

Imran Khan has been in jail since August 2023 and is facing multiple cases filed after his removal from office in April 2022. On Saturday, a court sentenced Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years’ imprisonment each in the Toshakhana-II corruption case.