The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) on Monday announced that it has gathered more than 130 pieces of evidence connecting the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan to the violent incidents that occurred on May 9.
According to JIT sources, the PTI founder’s involvement in incitement and violent acts has been firmly established.
The JIT claims that the unrest on May 9 was not spontaneous but rather planned ahead of the Imran Khan’s arrest. Evidence suggests that the founder played a significant role in organizing the protests, which turned violent.
During the investigation, the PTI founder reportedly acknowledged that supporters were mobilizing to protest in the Cantt area following his arrest.
Local leaders allegedly encouraged workers to take to the streets, escalating tensions and leading to the subsequent violent events.
On Sunday, the former prime minister was arrested by Lahore police in relation in a dozen cases, including the attack on the Jinnah House, which were brought against the PTI founder during the May 9 riots after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) obtained an eight-day remand of Khan in a new Toshakhana case.
The Police formally detained Khan at Adiala Jail, where he will be investigated for charges related to incitement against the state.
The police initially sought to transfer him to Lahore for further investigation, but the Rawalpindi court denied the request due to security concerns.
After the former prime minister was arrested by the Islamabad High Court on May 9, riots broke out. On Saturday, a 13-member team from the Lahore police's investigative wing went to Adiala Jail to question him about the events.
Imran Khan is scheduled to appear before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore via video link on Monday, where the police are expected to request his remand for further investigation related to the Jinnah House incident.
In a separate case, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in connection with a new reference to the Toshakhana case.
They were granted an eight-day physical remand. The federal government has since issued a directive for their trial to be held at Adiala Jail.