KP withdraws May 9 cases against PTI; courts to review Oct 15

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has withdrawn all cases lodged against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and workers in connection with the May 9 unrest, according to an official notification issued after provincial cabinet approval. Additional Advocate General Muhammad Inam Khan Yousafzai has been appointed special prosecutor to represent the government in related court proceedings.

Officials said the move provides significant legal relief to dozens of PTI members, though the final outcome now rests with the courts. A Mardan court hearing in case No. 833 was informed of the government's decision, with further proceedings scheduled for October 15.

KP Advocate General Aitezaz Ahsan Utmankhel, in a video statement, argued that the terrorism-related cases were politically motivated and registered without adequate evidence. He said 29 cases had been filed across the province under the Anti-Terrorism Act, many of which have already been dismissed, while remaining trials are ongoing.

The May 9 violence erupted after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case, with demonstrators targeting civil and military installations, including Lahore’s Jinnah House and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The episode has since driven sustained legal challenges for the party’s leadership and supporters.