ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) has reconstituted the bench hearing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s bail applications in connection with eight cases linked to the May 9 riots.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi has joined the three-member bench in place of Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb. The newly formed bench will now be headed by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, alongside Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui.
The reconstituted bench is expected to resume hearings on the former prime minister’s bail applications soon.
In last hearing of August 12, an earlier bench comprising Chief Justice Afridi, Justice Siddiqui, and Justice Aurangzeb had heard Imran Khan’s bail pleas.
Barrister Salman Safdar represented Khan. Punjab Special Prosecutor Zulfiqar Naqvi appeared for the state.
During proceedings, the Chief Justice questioned the Lahore High Court’s detailed judgment, which had rejected Khan’s bail. He observed that issuing final findings at the bail stage could influence the trial unfairly.
“If we touch upon legal findings at this stage, the case of either party may be affected,” CJP Afridi remarked.
He instructed both sides’ lawyers to assist the court on key legal questions and come fully prepared for the next hearing.
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