Lahore ATC Approves Polygraph, Photogrammetric Tests for Imran Khan in May 9 Cases
Lahore, May 15, 2025 — A Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday granted permission to conduct polygraph and photogrammetric tests of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan in 12 May 9-related cases, including attacks on Jinnah House, Askari Tower, and Shadman police station.
ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gill approved the prosecution’s application despite opposition from Barrister Salman Safdar, who represented the former prime minister. The judge directed the tests to be completed within 12 days, allowing the prosecution access to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.
Arguments Presented in Court
Barrister Safdar argued that the tests were unjustified as they were being proposed 727 days after the May 9 incidents and that Imran Khan had already secured bail in 21 related cases. He noted that the Lahore High Court had previously validated the statements being used as grounds for the tests.
In contrast, Special Prosecutor Rana Aazar emphasized the legal necessity of voice match testing, citing the Supreme Court’s allowance for such investigative procedures. He claimed that Khan had refused to undergo these tests unless accompanied by his lawyer.
Following deliberation, the court ruled in favor of the prosecution, authorizing polygraph, photogrammetric, and voice match tests.
May 9 Case Trials Accelerated
In a related development, the Lahore High Court registrar has revised the trial schedule of May 9 cases, now mandating hearings four days a week — Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday — at Kot Lakhpat Jail. The move is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directive to wrap up the trials within four months.
The jail trials, which include cases involving prominent PTI leaders like Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Omar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhry, Dr. Yasmin Rashid, and Mian Mehmoodur Rashid, are being conducted under tight security.
The May 9 riots erupted following Imran Khan’s arrest in 2023 and involved attacks on military and political installations, prompting widespread legal action and terrorism charges against PTI leadership and supporters.
