Imran Khan petitions LHC to challenge physical remand in 12 cases

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)'s founding leader Imran Khan has challenged in the Lahore High Court a decisionAn Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore to remand him in physical custody in 12 cases related to the May 9, 2023 violence.

Imran Khan has instead requested the court on Thursday to delcare the ATC's earler ruling null and void.

The PTI has filed petitions through Barrister Salman Safdar, asserting that the ATC did not properly assess the records when granting physical remand.

They highlighted negligence in previous police investigations and the disregard for legal considerations during the remand process.

Previously, an ATC in Lahore had approved a 10-day physical remand of PTI founder in 12 cases related to the May 9 incidents. Imran Khan had appeared via WhatsApp video call from Adiala Jail for the hearing during which he denied responsibility for the incidents.

After hearing arguments from both sides on Monday, the court reserved its decision and later issued a reserved judgment. Judge Khalid Arshad pronounced the reserved judgment, according to which the court ordered a physical remand of PTI founder for 10 days, while the police had requested a remand of 30 days.

PTI's lawyers opposed the physical remand and requested dismissal of the cases, which the court also rejected.

Read Imran remanded for 10 days over May 9

During the proceedings, Imran Khan rejected all allegations against him, stating, "The allegations against me are baseless. I was not present there on May 9. I did not orchestrate these events. I have no connection to these incidents. I was in Islamabad. I was arrested after my peaceful protest in Islamabad, where our people were peaceful but were fired upon."

During the hearing, Lahore's prosecutor said that Imran Khan's lawyers are trying to put pressure on the court.

The prosecutor's objection to terrorism was that PTI's lawyer said, "We strongly object to the prosecutor's statement. The court heard us comfortably. This is completely unfounded."

He further mentioned that he had applied for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 incident, but the application is still pending.

He expressed concern over what he described as injustice done to them, stating, "All allegations against me are false. I did not incite anyone. They ask me to apologise; I say they should apologise for the injustice they have done. All CCTV footage has been erased."