Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former finance minister Hammad Azhar has decided to file for protective bail in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) in connection with more than 50 cases registered against him. Sources reveal that Azhar finalized this legal strategy after detailed consultations with his legal team. The cases span multiple cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Islamabad, with many linked to the May 9 protests.
Azhar’s legal team has prepared a comprehensive record of all cases against him, aiming to first obtain protective bail from PHC before pursuing bail in the respective trial courts. Protective bail would provide him temporary relief from arrest, allowing him to appear before courts without immediate detention. This move comes as Azhar has been declared a wanted absconder in several of these cases, complicating his legal battles.
A significant number of the cases against Azhar stem from the May 9 violence, which followed the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The government has pursued legal action against numerous PTI leaders in connection with the protests, leading to a wave of arrests and court proceedings. Azhar’s decision to seek protective bail highlights the ongoing legal challenges faced by PTI leadership amid the party’s confrontations with state institutions.
If the PHC grants protective bail, Azhar will then proceed to seek regular bail in the relevant courts where cases are filed. Legal experts suggest this strategy could help him avoid immediate arrest while navigating the complex legal landscape. The outcome of these proceedings will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for other PTI leaders facing similar charges. The situation underscores the deepening legal and political tensions in Pakistan’s current political climate.