LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Monday handed over former Prime Minister Imran Khan to police on physical remand in 12 cases related to the May 9 riots.
The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was produced before the Lahore anti-terrorism court via video link, prompting the judge, Khalid Arshad, to question why he was not physically present.
The prosecution cited security concerns for not bringing Khan to court in person and expressed intent to probe him based on footage from the May 9 incidents. They requested physical remand of Khan, saying that he would remain in Adiala Jail during the investigation.
In opposition, the defence counsel argued that physical remand could not be sought if the accused was attending via video link. Usman Gul, Khan’s lawyer, asserted that remand should not be granted without Khan’s physical presence, while Azhar Siddique, another defence counsel, contended that proper procedures for video link attendance were not followed.
Judge Khalid Arshad noted having briefly interacted with Khan via video link and remarked on his demeanor.
Earlier in the day, police formally arrested Khan at Adiala Jail in connection with the May 9 Jinnah House attack, citing charges related to incitement against the state.
Police disclosed that Khan faces multiple cases stemming from the May 9 riots, including the Jinnah House incident. They had sought to transfer him to Lahore, which was denied by the Rawalpindi court due to security concerns.
Currently, Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are already on a six-day physical remand in a separate Toshakhana case until July 19.
