Imran involved in May 9 conspiracy, rules LHC

Court dismisses former premier's post-arrest bail plea, noting sufficient grounds for criminal conspiracy, abetment

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The Lahore High Court (LHC) has found former prime minister Imran Khan involved in a conspiracy linked to the violent events of May 9, 2023. The court’s decision was based on the testimonies of two police officials.

The LHC’s division bench, led by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi, issued a detailed order regarding Khan's post-arrest bail, which had been denied earlier, noting sufficient grounds for criminal conspiracy and abetment.

Inspector Ismat Kamal and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Hassan Afzal, in their statements, described Khan as the mastermind behind the incidents that unfolded on May 9.

The officials stated that in meetings held on May 4 at Chakri Rest Area, Rawalpindi, and again on May 7 and 9 in Lahore, Khan gave explicit directions to PTI leadership. He allegedly instructed them to attack military installations, state institutions, and police officers to exert pressure if he was arrested.

Read: LHC rejects Imran's bail in eight May 9 cases

Khan is reported to have told the participants, “No one will go home until I am released.” According to the testimonies, PTI leadership assured Khan, calling him their “redline,” and promised to rally the public if he were arrested.

The court found the actions of Khan, as outlined in the police testimonies, to be in violation of Sections 120-B and 121-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). 

These sections deal with conspiracy and abetment of crimes, which were reportedly perpetrated by Khan in the meetings leading up to the May 9 events.

May 9 Riots

The May 9 riots erupted nationwide following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

The military condemned the events as a "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.

As a result of the unrest, many PTI members were arrested and tried in military courts. In December, a military court convicted 25 individuals, including Imran Khan’s nephew, Hassan Khan Niazi, and later sentenced 60 more.

In January, 19 convicts had their sentences pardoned following successful mercy appeals, although PTI expressed dissatisfaction over the limited number of pardons.

The military trials had initially been halted following a Supreme Court ruling but were resumed following the court's instructions to finalize pending cases and announce judgments for those involved in the violent incidents.