No possibility of Imran’s release before Eid

ISLAMABAD: Rumours regarding possible release of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan before Eid have been firmly rejected by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and government sources. Even the PTI doesn’t expect it to happen.

These denials come amid speculations in the media and political circles about a potential deal or legal development leading to Khan’s early release.

According to NAB officials, there is currently no case before any court that is ripe for Imran Khan’s release. “No notice has been issued to NAB in any matter that could result in his bail or release before Eid,” a source in NAB confirmed. They added that as per legal norms, the prosecution must be heard before any relief is granted to a convicted individual, which has not happened so far.

Government sources have also dismissed the speculation, categorically stating that no deal has been offered to Imran Khan, and there is no behind-the-scenes arrangement underway to facilitate his release. “There is no understanding, no negotiation, and no offer on the table,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity. Imran Khan’s legal counsel, Naeem Haider Panjotha, also told reporters outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday that the reports of Khan’s imminent release were false. “There is neither any deal nor any leniency being offered. The rumours are baseless,” Panjotha said following a hearing related to the May-9 violence cases. Despite these clarifications, some PTI leaders and media analysts speculated that Khan would secure bail before Eid. Their hopes are pinned on the upcoming June-5 hearing in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have filed applications seeking suspension of their conviction in the Toshakhana case. However, NAB sources maintain that no notice has been issued in that matter yet. Legal experts also caution that such applications typically involve procedural delays and multiple hearings before any substantive relief is granted. Meanwhile, the broader legal landscape does not favour any near-term reprieve for the former prime minister. The IHC recently made it clear that Imran Khan’s appeal against a 14-year sentence in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case is unlikely to be heard in 2025. A report submitted by the IHC registrar’s office to a division bench stated that the appeal, filed in January 2025, remains at the motion stage and is subject to a case fixation policy that prioritises older cases. The report highlighted that 279 convict appeals are currently pending before the IHC, including 63 involving death sentences and 73 with life imprisonment. Given this backlog and the National Judicial (Policy Making) Committee’s (NJPMC) directive to prioritise older cases, Khan’s appeal is not scheduled for a regular hearing in the current calendar year.