On February 18, 2026, the Punjab government officially withdrew its appeals against the bail granted to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The state's counsel informed the court that he had received instructions to withdraw the appeals, leading the Supreme Court to dispose of the cases based on this withdrawal. Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakar, who presided over the three-judge bench, noted that the appeals were dismissed as withdrawn, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battles faced by Khan. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of other legal proceedings, including the Toshakhana case, where Khan's counsel highlighted that although his sentence had been suspended, the pending appeal prevented him from contesting elections. Justice Kakar remarked, "If a sentence has been suspended, there should be no legal obstacle, including participation in elections," indicating a potential pathway for Khan's political future (ARY News, February 18, 2026).