LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has instructed Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to join the investigation related to five cases filed in connection with the violence that occurred in the country on May 9.
The cases under scrutiny involve attacks on Jinnah House, Askari Tower, the Shadman Town police station, vandalism at the PML-N office in Model Town, and the burning of a container during the protests that erupted across the country following Imran’s arrest in the Toshakhana case.
During the hearing held on Friday, Imran Khan appeared in court accompanied by his lawyer, Intizar Panjhuta, while Khawaja Waseem Abbas represented the Punjab government.
At the beginning of the session, Judge Ejaz Ahmed Buttar expressed his disappointment with Imran Khan’s failure to join the investigation in the five cases. The judge questioned Imran, asking why he had not yet participated in the probe.
Imran responded by stating that he appears in court on a daily basis, making it difficult for him to join the investigation. The judge then requested a list of dates detailing Imran’s court appearances, to which the PTI chief agreed, saying, “I am ready to join the investigation.”
Emphasizing the importance of law enforcement, the judge remarked, “The implementation of the law is important.”
PTI Chief to Cooperate with Investigation Team
Imran expressed his willingness to participate in the investigation if the authorities visited his Zaman Park residence. The judge suggested that the matter should be discussed and resolved directly between Imran and the police.
The government’s lawyer insisted that Imran Khan join the probe at 4 pm on the same day. However, Imran mentioned his unavailability due to a scheduled meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The judge then suggested that Imran visit the police headquarters to participate in the investigation and directed him to do so by July 14. Additionally, the judge extended Imran’s interim bail in all five cases until July 21.
In a separate development related to the Toshakhana case, an Islamabad sessions judge granted Imran exemption from appearing before the court while hearing an appeal filed by the PTI chief challenging the maintainability of the Toshakhana reference.
During the hearing, Imran’s counsel requested a postponement of the proceedings until July 10. The lawyer representing the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) accused the petitioner of employing delaying tactics. The judge adjourned the hearing until Saturday and instructed Imran to appear in court alongside his lawyer, Khawaja Haris.
