Imran skips JIT’s Jinnah House attack probe

Deposed premier and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday refused to appear before a joint investigation team (JIT) probing into the May 9 vandalism at Lahore’s Jinnah House, where the city's corps commander was living, citing threats to his life and requested to participate in the process via a video link from his Zaman Park residence.

The PTI chief submitted his reply to the JIT through his lawyers, Ali Ijaz Buttar and Naeem Haider Panjhuta.

However, the JIT members refused to accept the PTI chief’s written request.

The JIT, formed by the caretaker Punjab government, had summoned Imran to join the investigation into the vandalism at the Jinnah House on May 9, when the PTI chief’s arrest from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by dozens of Rangers personnel in a corruption case had triggered violent protests across the country during which several public and private properties were attacked.

In his reply, Imran wrote that a notice for joining the investigation of the case Number 96/23 registered by the JIT on May 10, 2023 was sent to him.

He added that he had received the notice only a day ago and the deadline given to him was very limited to respond and reply.

The PTI chief informed the JIT that as per a pre-arranged schedule, he had to appear in an anti-terrorism court as well as the Lahore High Court on Tuesday.

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He further wrote that he was facing “security threats”, which the JIT was already aware of.

Imran told the JIT in his reply that this fact was very important that on the day these incidents took place, he was in the “illegal” custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

He continued that he was released on the order of the Supreme Court and an anti-terrorism court had already granted him bail.

The PTI chairman maintained that he was fully cooperating with the investigation agencies despite the registration of a large number of “false” cases against him.

He added that the cases against him were purely political in nature.

Imran claimed that despite “serious violations” of his fundamental rights, he was ready to be a part of the investigation into the Jinnah House vandalism.

He referred to an assassination attempt on him during a public gathering in Wazirabad last year.

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He claimed that there were now “reports from credible sources of another attack during public appearances in joining [the] investigation”.

“Taking into account the extreme threat, security concerns, and huge cost implication to state as well as myself, I will appreciate [it] if I am facilitated at [my] Zaman Park residence on any date/time of your convenience,” he added.

Imran noted that a similar exercise had been undertaken by the JIT already and a larger bench of the LHC had directed the investigation team to facilitate him at his residence as “there was no bar to either join through video link, questionnaire or in person”.

He told the JIT in his reply that he was submitting his request through his lawyers to take necessary steps for him to join the investigation, take his version and complete the process of the probe.

The PTI chief proposed that he might be sent a questionnaire containing precise queries to join the probe as another option.

“I am available in person at Zaman Park or absolutely willing to join the investigation through the method of video conferencing,” he added.

Imran wrote in his reply that “unnecessary exposure”, with the JIT's “kind support”, could be avoided.

“Other than court hearings, I have not left my residence due to the severity of security threats,” he claimed.