The Lahore High Court has declared the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan null and void in 12 cases related to the May 9 incidents. The court also dismissed the notification for Khan’s appearance through video link.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Tariq Salim Sheikh heard the case.

During the hearing, Justice Anwar-ul-Haq inquired about the number of cases in which Khan was named as a suspect. Salman Safdar, Khan’s lawyer, informed the court that his client was named in three cases, categorized into two groups: those where he was directly named and those where he was implicated indirectly.

Safdar argued that the police’s actions in these cases demonstrated incompetence and negligence. He pointed out that despite the May 9 incidents occurring over 425 days ago, the police had not taken any action to arrest Khan until recently. He questioned why the police waited so long to arrest him.

He further argued that the prosecution could not escape responsibility for their inaction, stating that Khan was previously on bail and yet the police did not attempt to include him in the investigation.

Justice Anwar-ul-Haq remarked that the police only sought to arrest Khan after he was released from jail on bail, questioning why they did not apprehend him earlier. He emphasized that the law requires immediate arrest once a suspect is identified.

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The Punjab Prosecutor General responded that Khan was previously on bail and therefore could not be arrested. Justice Anwar-ul-Haq then inquired if the police had attempted to investigate the matter earlier. The Prosecutor General replied that he could provide the court with records showing that Khan had informed them in writing that he would not participate in the investigation.

Following the arguments, the Lahore High Court declared Khan’s physical remand in the 12 cases null and void.

It is worth noting that on July 24, the Lahore High Court had adjourned the hearing on Khan’s petition challenging his physical remand in the 12 May 9 cases, seeking a detailed report from the Prosecutor General regarding the cases against him.