Last updated on August 28th, 2024 at 12:10 pm
Imran Khan Shies Away from Polygraph Test
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to undergo the polygraph and voice matching tests with regard to investigations relating to the May 9 riots last year. The refusal by the 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician came when a 12-member forensic team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) arrived at the high-security Adiala Jail on Tuesday.
Background of the May 9 Riots
The riots across the country were triggered on May 9, 2023, when Khan was arrested by the NAB in a corruption case involving 190 million pounds. The riots ended with wide-scale violence along with attacks on military installations and public properties. Even though he managed to get bail in some cases and other convictions were set aside, the imprisonment of Khan continues.
Visit of the Police and PFSA Team
The police team, comprising a Deputy Superintendent of Police as the head, was supposed to conduct polygraph, voice matching, and photogrammetry tests on Khan. However, according to reports, Khan refused the examinations citing that he already faced interrogations from different departments and institutions, and he promised to give full cooperation to police after finishing the previous interrogations.
Response by Imran Khan to Questioning
During the 15-minute questioning, the former prime minister spoke on various aspects of the May 9 riots that targeted the residence of Lahore corps commander, military installations, and public properties. Later, the police and PFSA experts briefed Lahore DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar about Khan’s non-cooperation. The issue will now be discussed in the meeting of senior police officers to chalk out a strategy for a follow-up visit in consultation with the prosecution department.
Aftermath of the May 9 Protest
Following the May 9 protests, unidentified PTI workers and supporters carried out attacks and vandalism against military installations, including the General Headquarters. Authorities responded with a severe crackdown against the PTI and launched trials of more than 100 PTI workers in military courts. The civil and military authorities had blamed the May 9 conspiracy on Khan before his arrest. He and his party have denied this. Imran Khan insists that all he did was to ask his workers and people to hold peaceful protests outside GHQ in case of his arrest.
Imran Khan’s Current Status
Khan had been confined at the Adiala Jail since August 5 last year immediately after his conviction in the Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. His wife, Bushra Bibi, is also behind bars on issues concerning the un-Islamic marriage case. On the other hand, despite getting bail or conviction overturned in some of these cases, he has remained imprisoned.
The latest development adds another layer to the continuing legal battles faced by Imran Khan. The investigation over riots on May 9 is still in progress, and more cooperation is being sought from the former Prime Minister, authorities have said.
