An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has approved bail of former prime minister and PTI ex-chairman Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in several cases relating to May 9 vandalism, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

ATC Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain heard five bail pleas of the two top PTI leaders on Monday and allowed bail in three cases to Imran Khan and in two cases to Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

The court directed both PTI leaders to submit surety bonds of Rs30,000 for bails in five cases.

PTI lawyers Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry and Sardar Masroof appeared in the court.

The prosecutor tried to delay the court ruling by saying that the investigators in the case have not yet arrived.

He, however, insisted that the May 9 violent protests were preplanned.

He prayed to the court to reject the bail pleas otherwise it would be an “extraordinary relief”.

The judge interrupted the lawyer, pointing out that both the PTI leaders were not present in the protests.

The prosecutor admitted “Yes, the both were not there.

The judge then ruled that all the five bail applications of the accused are accepted.

Reporter Hashir Ahsan