The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) secured an eight-day remand of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a new Toshakhana case. Concurrently, Lahore police have ‘arrested’ Khan in connection with a dozen cases linked to the May 9 riots, including the attack on the Corps Commander House.
Despite the arrest orders, sources indicate that Khan will not be moved to Lahore for interrogation due to security concerns. Instead, he will appear before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore via video link on Monday, where the police are expected to seek his remand.
On Saturday, a 13-member team from the Lahore police’s investigation wing visited Adiala Jail to question Khan about the May 9 violence following his arrest from the Islamabad High Court. However, Khan refused to meet the police team, which had travelled to the jail to interrogate him regarding various offenses, including charges of inciting public unrest against the state.
DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar confirmed to Dawn that Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was the prime suspect in 12 cases registered at various police stations in Lahore. An additional senior officer mentioned that Khan had been arrested in 12 out of the 16 cases filed by Lahore police in relation to the May 9 incidents.
The 13-member team, consisting of at least 12 investigating officers, remained at Adiala Jail over the weekend, attempting to communicate with Khan. Despite multiple messages, Khan did not respond, prompting the team to record his arrest in 12 cases and return to Lahore.
Among the dozen cases, two particularly stand out: the attacks on the residence of the Lahore corps commander and the Askari Tower. These cases are under intense scrutiny by senior police officials. A joint investigation team led by DIG Investigation Zeeshan Asghar is probing the corps commander house attack, while SSP Investigations Dr. Anoosh Masood Chaudhry is handling the Askari Tower case. Other cases, including the attack on Shadman police station, are being investigated by divisional SPs.
These charges against Khan include alleged involvement in attacks on military installations, government properties, and officials. The FIRs were registered with multiple police stations across Lahore, including Sarwar Road, Gulberg, Race Course, Naseerabad, and Shadman.
In a parallel development, an accountability court in Islamabad granted NAB authorities an eight-day physical remand of Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Toshakhana case. Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich of the Islamabad Accountability Court made this decision following a NAB plea. The couple is scheduled to appear in court again on July 22.
Despite their acquittal in the Iddat case on Saturday, fresh arrest orders prevented Khan and his wife from being released.
In related news, PTI activist Sanam Javed was rearrested by Islamabad police shortly after being released by a court. Although Magistrate Malik Imran discharged her from an FIA case on Sunday, she was promptly taken into custody again by the capital’s police. Her lawyer, Mian Ashfaq, confirmed the re-arrest, and Javed, who claimed her detention had been illegal, vowed to maintain her stance.
The Islamabad police have yet to confirm or deny Javed’s arrest.