• Two-judge bench says prosecution’s evidence shows PTI founder played a role in violent attacks
• Ex-PM’s refusal to submit to polygraph tests ‘hindered investigation’

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ruled that the PTI founder, Imran Khan, was involved in the conspiracy and abetment of violent attacks on May 9, 2023.

In a detailed verdict, a two-judge bench noted that the prosecution has evidence that reflected Mr Khan’s role in the violence that broke out following his arrest in Islamabad.

The argument by Mr Khan’s counsel that he was in jail when the violent attacks took place on May 9 “is of no help to him,” ruled Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi and Tariq Mahmood Bajwa, who had dismissed the PTI founder’s bail application on June 24.

Mr Khan had sought bail in eight cases of riots, including the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.

In its detailed verdict, the bench reproduced the statements of two police officials and prosecution witnesses, who claimed to have secretly attended PTI’s meetings wherein the party’s founder allegedly gave instructions to other leaders to attack military installations in case of his imminent arrest from the Islamabad High Court.

The meetings were held at a rest area of Chakri, Rawalpindi, on May 4 and at Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan on May 7-9, 2023.

The bench observed that the witnesses’ statements cannot be termed belated.

The bench held the statements “prima facie reflect the conspiracy and abetment” for the offences committed on May 9 were perpetrated by Mr Khan.

His role in the violence attracted Sections 120-B (punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 121-A (conspiracy to commit offence of waging or attempting to wage war against the country) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

“We have also noticed that the effect of the petitioner’s criminal conspiracy/abetment and the words uttered by him resulted in loss of lives and the state property,” the bench observed adding the case of Mr Khan, being PTI’s leader, was “distinguishable” from the cases of those who have been granted bail by different courts.

The bench noted that the prosecution has audio and video evidence, which required forensic analysis.

However, despite successive efforts by the investigating officer, Mr Khan refused polygraph and photogrammetric tests, which hindered the investigation and reflected his “evasive conduct”.

Based on these observations, the judges stated, “We are not inclined to grant post arrest bail to the petitioner and being so, this petition is dismissed.”

The cases against Mr Khan pertained to attacks on Askari Tower at Liberty Chowk, offices of PML-N in Model Town, Shadman police station and setting fire to police vehicles near the corps commander’s house and violence at Sherpao Bridge.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025