In a recent development, an Islamabad district and sessions court acquitted incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan in two additional cases linked to the May 9 events. Judicial Magistrate Umar Shabbir delivered the reserved verdicts on the applications for acquittal. The court cited “insufficient evidence” as grounds for Khan’s acquittal, yet he remains detained, serving sentences in the cypher and iddat cases.
These cases stem from a tumultuous period when a violent mob targeted state buildings and military installations following Khan’s arrest in a graft case on May 9. While rivals of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have alleged his party’s involvement in orchestrating the attacks, PTI leaders have urged a judicial inquiry into the matter.
Lawyers Mirza Asim Baig and Naeem Panjutha presented compelling arguments in favor of Khan’s acquittal. The court’s decision pertained to two cases registered at the Shahzad Town police station.
This is not the first instance of legal relief for Khan. Previously, on April 2, an Islamabad court acquitted Khan and former federal minister Asad Umar in a case registered at the Margalla police station for organizing a rally. Furthermore, earlier this month, Khan, along with prominent PTI leaders, was acquitted in a case registered at the Kohsar police station.
Despite these legal victories, the political landscape remains tense, with Khan’s adversaries closely monitoring developments while his supporters maintain their unwavering support for the embattled former premier.
