• Lahore's ATC announces verdict it reserved three days ago.
• Govt demands Imran Khan's arrest essential for his interrogations.
• Imran Khan remains in jail after he was sentenced in Iddat Nikah case. 

LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore on Wednesday rejected interim bail pleas of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in three cases related to May 9 violent protests. 

Judge Khalid Arshad of Lahore's ATC announced the verdict today that he reserved three days ago after hearing Khan's interim bail pleas in the May 9 riots cases — the Jinnah House, Askari Tower and Shadman Police Station vandalism cases.

The May 9 mayhem referred to the riots that broke out in many parts of the country last year following the ex-PM arrest in a corruption case. 

The alleged PTI supporters attacked several state building including military installations, prompting the civil and military authorities to try the rioters under Army Act.  

The deposed prime minister, who was ousted from power via the opposition's no-confidence motion in April 2022, has been facing a slew of charges ranging from corruption to terrorism since his removal as premier. 

He has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana case and subsequently sentenced in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections.

Khan secured relief in the other cases, including £190 million reference and Toshakhana, and was acquitted in the cipher case last month. 

However, he remains behind bars due to his conviction in the iddat (un-Islamic nikah) case only.

Pleading before the Lahore's ATC today, the government demanded Khan's arrest in all three cases, including the Jinnah House case, saying his arrest was essential for interrogation with him. 

The former premier along with his spouse Bushra Bibi is currently serving seven-year jail term each at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail after the couple was convicted in the iddat case on February 3, 2024.

The rejection of bail pleas come as PTI is hoping for Khan's release from prison this month as district and sessions court in Islamabad is expected to announce verdict on the PTI founder's main appeal challenging conviction in the iddat case.

Last month, the sessions court turned down the pleas of the ex-premier and his wife to suspend their seven-year sentences in the iddat case.