Former Pakistan PM says he will not testify in cases against him

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, who faces corruption allegations, said on Thursday he would not take part in an investigation by the powerful anti-corruption agency while he is out on bail.

The National Accountability Agency (NAB), which in the past has investigated, tried and jailed everyone who has served as prime minister since 2008, has already called Khan in to investigate the corruption allegations, a spokesman said.

Khan was arrested on the charges, which he denies, on May 9 and later released on court-ordered bail, which was extended to May 31.

In a statement addressed to the deputy director of the NAB and shown to the report by one of Khan’s lawyers, the former prime minister called the accusations against him “absolutely false, frivolous and invented”.

He said he was in the process of applying for and obtaining bail in a number of other legal proceedings and would not be available before his protective bond expired.

Imran Khan’s arrest sparked a wave of violence that deepened political instability in the South Asian nation of 220 million people. Pakistan is also grappling with its worst-ever economic crisis, with vital IMF funding needed to avert a payments crisis delayed for months.

extended freedom

The extension of his release on bail was confirmed on Wednesday (17), when a country official announced that people involved in violent protests against his arrest will be tried in military courts.

Khan was released on bail by the Islamabad High Court last Friday. The court extended the bail, which was due to expire on Wednesday, because the prosecutor asked for more time to present details of the case against him, Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, said.

Thousands of Khan supporters attacked and burned dozens of government and public buildings, including the army headquarters, after his arrest.