Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday denied his role in violent protests on May 9 last year in which his supporters allegedly stormed government buildings and memorials to military martyrs.
The riots on May 9 broke out across the country after Khan was arrested by the National Audit Bureau (NAB) in connection with a £190 million corruption scandal. He faces more than 200 charges and has been jailed since August last year.
Hundreds of PTI functionaries and cadres were jailed for their involvement in the violence and attacks on military installations including Jinnah House, the ISI building in Faisalabad and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on May 9 last year.
The 71-year-old has been named as a suspect in 16 cases related to the violence, of which he has been released on bail in four but has been arrested in the remaining 12.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder appeared before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore via WhatsApp video for a case related to the violent protests on May 9 last year. Judge Khalid Arshad was hearing the case.
Speaking to the court via video link, BBC Urdu quoted a local journalist in the court as saying Khan had not been involved in the violent protests.
“I did not carry out the arson and vandalism on May 9 and these are false accusations. In my 28-year political career, I have never been involved in any violent incident,” he said.
He further said that his house was attacked and called for peaceful protests. “A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots. We have conveyed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to hear our request,” he said.
“They are demanding that I should ask for an apology, but I am asking them for an apology because they have misbehaved with me,” he said, without naming anyone.
The judge postponed the issue of detention sought by prosecutors as Khan had not appeared in court, leaving the court to first decide whether the defendant could be detained without appearing in court.
Pakistan’s government announced on Monday that it had decided to ban his party over alleged involvement in “anti-national” activities that amount to receiving illegal foreign funds, involvement in riots and treason charges against the jailed former prime minister.
Announcing the unexpected move, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar emphasised that Khan’s PTI and its leadership are working to undermine the country’s sovereignty and tarnish the country’s unity at the international level.
First uploaded: 15 July 2024 23:14 IST
