Imran Khan faces polygraph, voice match tests in cases linked to 2023 protests

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has granted permission to police to conduct polygraph (lie detection) and photogrammetric (facial and voice analysis) tests on jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 violence.

The tests will be carried out as part of investigations into 12 terrorism cases against Khan, stemming from the violent protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, following his arrest by paramilitary Rangers at the Islamabad High Court premises.

“ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill accepted the request of the prosecution on Wednesday and allowed police to conduct polygraph and photogrammetric tests of Imran Khan within 12 days at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi in 12 terrorism cases, including an attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House known as Jinnah House,” a court official said on Thursday.

During the unrest, supporters of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party allegedly targeted multiple military installations, including Jinnah House (the Lahore Corps Commander House), Mianwali Airbase, and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Additionally, a mob stormed the Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

Khan’s lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, opposed the prosecution request, questioning the police decision to conduct the polygraph and photogrammetric tests 727 days after the May 9 incident. He said that bail has already been granted to the PTI founder in 21 terrorism cases.

“The prosecution is seeking both tests of Mr Khan in 12 cases in which he has already recorded statements declared lawful by the Lahore High Court,” Safdar said and urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s petition.

Imran Khan has been in high-security Adiala Jail since August 2023.

With inputs from PTI