Web Desk
The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), formed by the Punjab interim government to investigate the arson attacks on Jinnah House and the Askari Corporate Tower in Lahore, has summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, according to well-placed sources.
Imran Khan’s arrest earlier this month triggered street protests, leading to a crackdown by security forces against the PTI party. The JIT, led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Kamran Adil, has requested the former prime minister to appear before the probe body on May 30 at the Qila Gujjar Singh investigation headquarters.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Khan will be questioned by the JIT regarding the riots that occurred on May 9. Several First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed against the deposed prime minister in different police stations across the province.
The JIT, headed by DIG Adil, comprises Superintendent Police (SP) Investigation City Division Lahore Dr. Raza Tanveer, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)/SP-AVLS Lahore Raza Zahid, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Taimoor Khan, and Factory Area Police Station in-charge investigation Muhammad Sarwar.
After receiving the notice from the JIT, Imran Khan has consulted with his legal team, but it has not yet been decided whether he will appear before the probe body or not, as per the sources.
In a related development, an anti-terrorism court granted permission to hand over 16 suspects involved in the ransacking and vandalizing of Jinnah House to the commanding officer for trial under army laws. These individuals were confined in Camp Jail, Lahore, and were named in cases related to the attack on Corps Commander House.
Imran Khan, in a tweet on May 15, blamed “agencies men” for the arson and shootings during the May 9 protests, alleging that they were attempting to frame the PTI.
On May 25, Khan filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting that the imposition of undeclared martial law in Punjab, Balochistan, KP, and Islamabad be declared unconstitutional. He also sought the appointment of a Judicial Commission to investigate the incidents of May 9-10 and the subsequent actions, and to recommend action against those involved.
Imran Khan further requested the court to declare the arrests and detentions of PTI members unconstitutional and void, and to free them from detention. He also challenged the dismantling of the PTI through forced resignations and office closures, arguing that it violated Article 17 of the Constitution.
The summoning of Imran Khan by the JIT indicates the ongoing investigation into the Lahore arson attacks and the subsequent protests, aiming to establish accountability for the incidents that occurred on May 9.
