The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore has once again directed former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan to undergo polygraph (lie detector) and photogrammetry (facial and voice analysis) tests, after he repeatedly refused to comply with earlier orders.
These tests were first authorized by the court on May 14, but Imran declined to participate. During Monday’s hearing, police submitted a report detailing his refusal, claiming it was hindering the ongoing investigation.
Legal Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Javed Ahmed informed the court that Imran had refused to take the written test twice and the oral test three times. He emphasized that the tests were necessary to move the investigation forward and that while police were willing to cooperate, the former premier must also cooperate with investigators. “Justice will be visible,” he added.
The court has now ordered that the tests be conducted and the results submitted by June 9.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari previously criticized Imran’s non-cooperation, saying he used excuses such as being asleep or eating, or claimed his lawyers were unavailable. She stated that Imran was still not adjusting to life in prison, reminding him that he was in Adiala Jail, not at his Bani Gala residence.
Imran Khan, 71, has been imprisoned in Adiala Jail for nearly a year following convictions in multiple cases — including two Toshakhana references, the cipher case, and the Iddat case involving his wife, Bushra Bibi.
While his Toshakhana sentences have been suspended and he was recently acquitted in the cipher case by the Islamabad High Court, an appeals court has also overturned the verdict in the Iddat case. Additionally, Imran has been acquitted in several other cases filed after the May 9, 2023 riots triggered by his arrest and the subsequent state crackdown on the PTI.
