The May 9 protests witnessed alleged PTI workers and supporters engaging in acts of violence, attacking military installations such as the General Headquarters and various monuments.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently incarcerated, declined to undergo a polygraph and voice matching test as part of an investigation by Lahore police regarding the violent events that unfolded in 2023. The 71-year-old Khan, facing a multitude of legal challenges, was visited by a 12-member forensic team at Adiala Jail for the polygraph examination. The unrest in May 2023 erupted nationwide following Khan’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau in a high-profile corruption case amounting to 190 million pounds.
Read More: Bangladesh Quota Protests Kill 105, Indian Students Return Amid Curfew | Updates
Investigative Efforts and Khan’s Response
Led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the Lahore police team, accompanied by experts from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency, aimed to conduct various tests including polygraph, voice matching, and photogrammetry on the former Prime Minister. Despite engaging with the police for 15 minutes and expressing willingness to cooperate upon assurance of justice, Khan refused to undergo the specified tests. Citing ongoing investigations by multiple institutions, Khan stated his intent to address the police inquiries after concluding his current legal matters.
Read More: Indian-American Lawmakers Throw Weight Behind Kamala Harris As Biden Quits US Presidential Race
Legal Battle and Public Interest
Imran Khan’s prolonged incarceration since August last year has garnered significant public attention due to the sheer volume of legal cases against him. With over 200 cases pending against him, the former Prime Minister’s refusal to comply with the forensic tests adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation. The public remains divided on Khan’s stance, with some viewing it as a strategic move while others perceive it as obstructing justice.
The May 9 Protests
The May 9 protests witnessed alleged PTI workers and supporters engaging in acts of violence, attacking military installations such as the General Headquarters and various monuments. In response to this unprecedented violence, authorities swiftly took action, launching a massive crackdown on the PTI and conducting trials for over 100 PTI workers in military courts.
Accusations have been directed towards Imran Khan by both civil and military authorities, claiming that he orchestrated the May 9 conspiracy. However, Imran Khan and his party vehemently deny these allegations. While Khan refutes giving orders for the vandalism of state properties, he did admit to instructing his party to peacefully protest outside the GHQ in the event of his arrest.
Imran Khan has been held at the high-security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for nearly a year following his conviction in three cases, including the Toshakhana corruption case, the cipher case, and the un-Islamic marriage case, in which his wife Bushra Bibi is also incarcerated. Despite securing bail or having his conviction overturned in some instances, Khan remains in custody.
Imran Khan’s legal woes began with his arrest on August 5 last year after being convicted in the initial Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Subsequently, he has been detained in jail on various charges, reflecting the complex legal battles the former cricketer-turned-politician continues to navigate.
