Punjab cabinet approves virtual hearing for Imran Khan in May 9 cases
The trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in 11 cases related to the May 9 riots will be conducted via video link from jail in the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi, following a decision by the Punjab provincial cabinet citing security concerns.
The cabinet approved the virtual trial under the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, based on the recommendation of the Chief Minister, who instructed that the matter be formally presented for cabinet approval.
Following this decision, the provincial law and prosecution departments have issued technical guidelines to facilitate the remote proceedings.
In Lahore, the trials in the 11 May 9-related terrorism cases against Imran Khan have not yet begun, as challans (charge sheets) are still pending submission to the court.
Official records show that Imran Khan remains the principal accused in 14 terrorism cases filed under relevant provisions in Lahore alone.
It is notable that on August 21, 2025, the Supreme Court granted bail to Imran Khan in eight of the May 9 cases.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Afridi asked Special Prosecutor Punjab Zulfiqar Naqvi whether he had reviewed the Lahore High Court’s decision and if a final finding could now be provided in the bail matter.
He further questioned whether the principle of continuity would not apply in this case since the Supreme Court had earlier granted bail to some accused in similar conspiracy allegations.
The Chief Justice remarked that the bench would not allow arguments on the merits of the case, directing the prosecutor to confine his arguments to legal questions regarding conspiracy.
“Show us a case where the Supreme Court has rejected bail on conspiracy charges,” Justice Afridi said, adding that the apex court had already granted bail in three such cases.
During the hearing, tense moments arose as Chief Justice Yahya Afridi questioned the Special Prosecutor about the distinction between Khan’s case and those of other accused individuals.
The special prosecutor responded that, unlike others who had been granted bail, Imran Khan was present at the scene, and both oral and electronic evidence had been collected against him.
He further told the court that Imran Khan was not cooperating with investigators and had refused to undergo polygraphic and psychometric tests.
At this point, Justice Shafi Siddiqui inquired whether such tests had been conducted in the past.
The special prosecutor replied that they had been used before, citing the SC’s decision in the Noor Muqaddam murder case as an example.
Member of the SC bench Justice Shafi Siddiqui noted that accusations against co-accused Ijaz Chaudhry also included presence at the scene and conspiracy charges.
The prosecutor, however, argued that, unlike Imran Khan, Ijaz Chaudhry was not physically present.
Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi then admonished the prosecution, remarking, “You are the prosecutor, and yet you are unaware of the basics of the case.”
On this occasion, Chief Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that it is difficult to deny bail in a conspiracy case and granted the bail of Imran Khan in eight cases, overturning the Lahore High Court’s decision.
