The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has strongly denied media reports alleging that its founder, Imran Khan, admitted to calling for a protest outside the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi prior to his arrest on May 9.
During a talk show on a private news channel, Asad Qaiser, former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader, emphasized, “[Khan] did not say what is being reported in the media […] we categorically deny this.”
These denials follow claims that, during a court hearing at Adiala jail, Khan acknowledged calling for a peaceful protest outside the GHQ in response to law enforcement’s “attack” on his Zaman Park residence before his arrest.
The former prime minister has been entangled in numerous legal battles linked to the May 9 riots. His arrest in a corruption case allegedly sparked these riots, during which several military and state properties, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence, were damaged.
Both the previous and current governments have repeatedly accused Imran Khan and senior PTI leadership of orchestrating the alleged “organized” attacks on military sites.
Despite obtaining relief in some cases, the ex-premier still faces 12 cases related to the May 9 events, currently being heard by an Anti-Terrorism Court.
Of these 12 cases, five were filed at Sarwar Road Police Station, three at Gulberg Police Station, and one each at Race Course, Shadman, Mughalpura, and Model Town police stations.
Refuting the media’s portrayal of Khan’s comments, Qaiser highlighted that lawyers present at Adiala jail during Khan’s conversation with journalists have denied the attributed statements. He mentioned, “Intezar Panjutha, in a press conference, confirmed he was with Khan and that the reported comments were not true.”
