A Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Saturday granted bail to former prime minister Imran Khan in a dozen cases pertaining to the May 9 violence.

Former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi was granted bail in 13 similar cases.

Countrywide protests had erupted on May 9 last year after the paramilitary Rangers whisked away Imran from the Islamabad High Court in a corruption case.

While the protests were underway, social media was flooded with footage of rioting and vandalism at various spots, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence and General Headquarters, the army’s head of office in Rawalpindi.

Imran was arrested in at least a dozen cases in connection with the May 9 protests by the Rawalpindi police last month. Meanwhile, Qureshi in December was implicated in at least 12 different cases registered by the Rawalpindi district police in connection with the May 9 violence.

Today, ATC Judge Malik Asif Ejaz presided over hearings on bail applications by the two and granted the request while rejecting a prosecution plea for respite.

A Lahore ATC on Friday had extended Imran’s pre-arrest bail in seven May 9 cases till today.