Imran Khan Rejects Polygraph Test in Jail Amid Riot Investigation

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, declined to undergo a polygraph and voice matching test on Tuesday. This was part of an investigation by Lahore police into last year's widespread violence. A 12-member forensic team had arrived at Adiala Jail to conduct the polygraph test on the 71-year-old.

The May 9 riots in 2023 erupted nationwide after Khan's arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a £190-million corruption case. Khan, facing over 200 cases, has been incarcerated since August of the previous year. The Lahore police team, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), came to the prison to perform the tests, as reported by the Express Tribune.

Forensic Team's Arrival

Experts from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) accompanied the police team. They were tasked with conducting polygraph, voice matching, and photogrammetry tests on Khan. However, according to The Nation, Khan only answered police questions for 15 minutes after DSP Asif promised justice but refused to undergo the tests.

Khan stated he was under investigation by multiple institutions and would allocate time to the police after completing his ongoing inquiries. During the May 9 protests, alleged workers and supporters attacked military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ), and vandalised monuments.

Authorities' Response

Following the unprecedented violence, authorities launched a massive crackdown against those involved and initiated trials for over 100 workers in military courts. Civil and military authorities have accused Khan of orchestrating the May 9 conspiracy before his arrest. However, Imran Khan and his party have strongly denied these allegations.

Khan admitted he had instructed his party to stage a peaceful protest outside GHQ if he were arrested but denied ordering any vandalism of state properties. He has been held at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for nearly a year following convictions in three cases: the Toshakhana corruption case, the cipher case, and an un-Islamic marriage case involving his wife, Bushra Bibi.

Legal Proceedings

Despite securing bail or having his convictions overturned in some cases, Khan remains imprisoned. He was initially arrested on August 5 last year after being convicted in the first Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Since then, he has been detained in connection with various other cases.

The PFSA experts intended to perform several forensic tests on Khan as part of their investigation into last year's violence. However, Khan's refusal to participate in these tests has added another layer of complexity to his ongoing legal battles.

Khan's continued imprisonment and refusal to undergo forensic testing highlight the ongoing tensions between him and various state institutions. His legal troubles appear far from over as he navigates numerous charges and investigations.