LAHORE: An anti-terrorism court on Monday once again allowed police to conduct polygraph (lie detection) and photogrammetric (facial and voice analysis) tests of incarcerated PTI founding chairman Imran Khan in 12 cases of May 9 riots against him.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill passed the order on a fresh application filed by the police, saying an investigation team led by DSP Asif Javed had approached the accused in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi, three times for the tests.

However, it said, the accused refused twice in writing and once verbally.

DSP Javed, who also appeared before the court, stated the PTI founding chairman was not cooperating in the investigation, which was the main reason for the delay in its completion.

The officer requested the court to allow the application so the police could approach the accused in jail again to conduct the tests.

A lawyer appearing on behalf of the PTI founder opposed the police application, arguing that conducting the photogrammetric and polygraph tests at this delayed stage was unjustified.

He said the police could not force an accused to undergo such tests.

After hearing the contention of both sides, the judge reserved his decision, which he announced after a few hours, allowing the police application.

The judge has directed the police to submit a progress report on June 9.

Previously, the judge had on May 14 allowed the police to conduct the test of Imran Khan.

The police had sought permission to conduct photogrammetric and polygraph tests of Imran inside Adiala Jail where he is currently imprisoned.

The tests are to be carried out in 12 cases, including those pertaining to Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks. Other cases include attacks on Shadman police station and party offices of the PML-N.

The judge had ordered completion of the tests within 12 days, saying the prosecution may meet the PTI founding chairman in Adiala Jail during that period.

However, when the police investigation team visited him in the jail, he refused to undergo the tests.

As many as 12 FIRs had been registered at different police stations of Lahore against the PTI leaders and workers on charges of attacking and vandalising public and private property besides army facilities including the residence of corps commander during the May 9 protests.

The widespread attacks erupted after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in a graft case by the NAB from the Islamabad High Court.

Besides terrorism charge under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, various offences including waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan, abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier from his duty and rioting were added in the FIR.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2025