Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan to undergo polygraph test in May 9 violence cases
Lahore, May 15 (PTI): A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has allowed police to conduct polygraph (lie detection) and photogrammetric (facial and voice analysis) tests of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan in cases related to the May 9 violence, an official said on Thursday.
The tests will be conducted for 12 terrorism cases against Khan related to the violent protests which erupted on May 9, 2023, after his arrest by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises.
"ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill accepted the request of the prosecution on Wednesday and allowed police to conduct polygraph and photogrammetric tests of Imran Khan within 12 days at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi in 12 terrorism cases, including attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House known as Jinnah House," a court official said on Thursday.
During the violence, supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) allegedly vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), the Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. A mob also attacked the Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
Khan's lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar opposed the prosecution request, questioning the police decision to conduct the polygraph and photogrammetric tests 727 days after the May 9 incidents.
He said that bail has already been granted to the PTI founder in 21 terrorism cases.
"The prosecution is seeking both tests of Mr Khan in 12 cases in which he already has recorded statements declared lawful by the Lahore High Court," Safdar said and urged the court to dismiss the prosecution's petition.
Special Prosecutor Rana Aazar argued that the Supreme Court allowed such tests to fulfil investigative requirements, Khan, however, refused to undergo these tests in jail without the presence of his lawyer. "Conducting the voice match test of the accused is a legal requirement," he said.
After hearing both sides, the judge accepted the prosecution's plea, allowing it to conduct the tests within 12 days.
Khan has been imprisoned at high-security Adiala Jail since August 2023 in multiple cases.
Meanwhile, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan strongly dismissed rumours about any deal between Khan and the government, terming these as "mere speculations".
Addressing media representatives outside the Parliament House on Thursday, he said that if the former prime minister had opted for a deal, he would not be in jail.
Gohar added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended an offer during a session of the National Assembly, which was welcomed.
"We informed him (Shehbaz) that we would consult Imran Khan and the party before making any decision," he said.
Gohar said that he conveyed Shehbaz's offer to Khan, but declined to disclose details of the discussions or Khan’s instructions on the negotiation process.
"I cannot share the specifics of our conversation," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Two children killed, one injured after relative attacks them over petty issue in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: In an incident reported from the Hebbagodi police limits in Bengaluru, two young boys were killed and another child was seriously injured after a man allegedly attacked them over a trivial issue.
The incident took place on Saturday in Kammasandra. The accused, identified as Khaseem, allegedly assaulted the children with a deadly weapon, leading to the deaths of two sons of Chand Pasha, aged 9 and 7. A third son was seriously injured and is currently being treated at a hospital, according to police sources.
The family hails from Kurukunda village in Yadgir district and had moved to Bengaluru five years ago for construction work. Khaseem is said to be a relative of Chand Pasha. On Saturday, while Chand Pasha was away at work, Khaseem allegedly attacked the children who were at home.
Police visited the spot, conducted an inspection, and have taken Khaseem into custody. A senior police officer confirmed that an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact motive behind the brutal attack.
