Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on Monday declined to cooperate with Lahore Police investigating 12 cases registered against him from May 9.
The Lahore Police investigation team, tasked with probing these cases, visited Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi where Khan is currently held.
However, he did not appear for the investigation despite multiple requests. He insisted that any investigation be conducted in the presence of his legal team.
The police had planned to conduct a polygraph test as part of the investigation, but were unable to proceed due to the PTI founder’s refusal to participate. Consequently, the investigation team returned to Lahore without completing their inquiries.
Imran Khan is currently under a 10-day physical remand, which was approved by the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore. The remand is part of the legal proceedings related to the cases stemming from the incidents on May 9.
Earlier last week, the anti-terrorism court of Lahore sent the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, on 10-day physical remand in 12 cases of May 9.
The remand pertains to multiple cases registered against the PTI founder at various police stations including Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town.
Imran Khan was produced through a video link as the prosecutor cited ‘security concerns’ for not producing him in person.
During the court proceedings, the PTI founder argued before the learned judge, stating that his intention was peaceful protest despite the allegations against him.
He emphasized that he had requested a judicial inquiry into the incidents of May 9 and urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene.
“I have never incited violence in my 28-year history,” the PTI founder asserted, denying any involvement in the May 9 riots. He pointed out discrepancies regarding CCTV footage and the handling of his requests.
Advocate Azhar Siddique, representing the PTI founder, argued for his client’s innocence, highlighting a lack of evidence against him over Pakistan’s 72-year history.
In response, the public prosecutor referenced a video uploaded by the PTI founder on May 9, 2023, which is under scrutiny for verification.
Judge Khalid Arshad Malik assured to document the arguments and make decisions based on legal merits. However, he raised concerns over the absence of the PTI founder in court, citing security reasons provided by the prosecution.
