LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Thursday adjourned the petitions of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan seeking post-arrest bail in eight cases of the May 9 riots, including an attack on the corps commander’s residence.

Barrister Salman Safdar appeared on behalf of the former premier and presented his initial arguments in support of the bail. He said the petitioner was currently under judicial remand in all the cases. He argued that there was no recovery to be made from the petitioner.

He said the police cases were malicious and driven by political victimisation. He asked the court to allow post-arrest bail petitions in eight cases.

Judge Khalid Arshad adjourned the hearing of the bail petitions till Sept 7 for further arguments.

The PTI founder filed bail pleas in cases, including attacks on Jinnah House, Askari Tower and Shadman police station.

Separately, ATC-III Judge Arshad Javed adjourned post-arrest bail petitions of Imran Khan in four other cases, including burning the PML-N office in Model Town, a container near Kalma Chowk and police vehicles in Gulberg during the May 9 riots.

The judge will resume the hearing on Sept 5.

The bail petitions have been filed after the Lahore High Court quashed the physical remand of the former premier in 12 cases.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2024