NAB and government sources have denied rumours about releasing PTI founding chairman Imran Khan before Eid al-Adha. The News reported on Sunday that PTI officials also don’t expect his release.
Media and political circles have been buzzing with talk of a possible deal or court decision that could free Imran Khan early. But authorities have shut down those claims.
A NAB source confirmed, “No notice has been sent to NAB in any issue which might affect his bail or release before Eid.” He also said the court must hear the prosecution before granting relief, and that hasn’t happened yet.
Government officials repeated the denial. One senior official clearly said, “On the table, nothing is known, negotiated, or offered.”
Outside the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi, Khan’s lawyer Naeem Haider Panjotha told reporters the release rumours are baseless. He said, “There is no offer, either in deals or in leniency. Rumours have no foundation.”
Despite clear statements, some PTI leaders and media analysts still believe Khan could get bail before Eid. They are hoping the Islamabad High Court hearing on June 5 will help.
Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have asked the court to suspend their sentence in the Toshakhana case.
However, NAB sources said the court hasn’t issued a notice yet. Legal experts also pointed out that these cases usually take time and go through multiple hearings.
The larger legal situation also blocks any quick relief for Khan. The Islamabad High Court recently stated it won’t likely hear Khan’s appeal in 2025. He’s challenging a 14-year sentence in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case.
The IHC registrar’s office reported that Khan’s January 2025 appeal is still in the motion stage. The court is following a policy that prioritises older appeals.
Right now, the IHC is handling 279 convict appeals. These include 63 death penalty cases and 73 life sentences. Because of this backlog and NJPMC’s directive to handle older cases first, the court won’t hear Khan’s appeal this year.
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