- Defence counsels object to indictment’s contents, noting investigation report included statements by 94 witnesses, none of whom named PTI founder or any other senior leader
RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi on Friday once again deferred the indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan and others accused in the case related to attack on GHQ during May 9 violent events.
The GHQ attack case is linked to the PTI founder’s arrest on May 9, 2023, from the Islamabad High Court. Following Imran’s arrest, widespread protests erupted across the country, which escalated into riots, during which PTI supporters targeted and vandalised numerous civil and military installations.
Key sites that were ransacked or vandalised included General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore (Corps Commander House in Lahore) and Mianwali airbase.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing of the case at Adiala Jail.
During the hearing, defence counsels raised objections to the indictment’s contents, noting that the GHQ investigation report included statements by 94 witnesses and none of whom named the PTI chairman or any other senior leader.
Lawyer Babar Awan argued that the individuals who initially implicated PTI leaders have since withdrawn their statements.
KP CM Ali Amin Gandapur did not attend the hearing, and his attorney submitted a request for an exemption from attendance.
Meanwhile, copies of the indictment were not distributed to the 25 accused individuals present. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed submitted a petition requesting for acquittal in an attempt to avoid indictment.
GHQ attack case
Earlier this year, Imran Khan was arrested in the GHQ attack case, soon after his release warrant was issued in the cypher case.
The GHQ attack case outlines 27 severe charges against Imran Khan and other accused individuals.
The report alleges that, under the leadership of former Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, the accused stormed the GHQ gate, causing significant property damage despite being warned by military personnel to stop.
The accused are also alleged to have broken into sensitive areas of GHQ, set fires, threw petrol bombs, and created chaos within the premises.
According to the report, chants such as “No Pakistan without Khan” and “Behind this terrorism is the uniform” were allegedly raised, targeting military personnel and attacking the reputation of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The investigation report states that attacks were also made on sensitive ISI and GHQ offices, characterizing the protest as a criminal conspiracy.
