Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been placed in 10-day physical remand by the anti-terrorism court of Lahore. This action is in relation to 12 charges from May 9.
The remand is related to several cases filed against the PTI founder at different police stations, including Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town.
Imran Khan was presented via a video link due to the prosecutor’s claim of ‘security concerns’ as the reason for not physically bringing him to the location.
During the court proceedings, the PTI founder presented his argument to the judge, asserting that his objective was to engage in nonviolent protest, notwithstanding the allegations made against him.
He stressed his appeal for a judicial investigation into the events of May 9 and urged the Chief Justice of Pakistan to intervene.
The PTI founder firmly stated that he has never encouraged or provoked violence throughout his 28-year career, completely denying any participation in the disturbances that occurred on May 9th. He highlighted inconsistencies in the CCTV footage and the handling of his requests.
Advocate Azhar Siddique, who is representing the PTI founder, presented arguments in favor of his client’s innocence, emphasizing the absence of evidence against him throughout Pakistan’s 72-year history.
The public prosecutor cited a video posted by the PTI founder on May 9, 2023, which is currently being examined for authentication.
Judge Khalid Arshad Malik promised to record the arguments and render decisions based on the legal merits of the case. Nevertheless, he expressed reservations over the PTI founder’s nonattendance in court, citing security justifications offered by the prosecution.
