An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday once again deferred the indictment of former prime minister Imran Khan and others accused in the case related to the attack on GHQ Rawalpindi during the unrest on May 9.
The GHQ attack case involving Imran Khan is linked to his arrest on May 9, 2023, at the Islamabad High Court, where he was attending a hearing related to allegations of corruption.
The attackers breached the GHQ gate and entered the premises, attempting to create an environment of insurrection within the country.
Following Imran’s arrest, widespread protests erupted across Pakistan, with his supporters and party members demanding his release. The protests escalated into riots, during which PTI supporters targeted and vandalised numerous civil and military installations.
Key sites of unrest included General Headquarters (GHQ) of the army in Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore, Mianwali airbase and Corps Commander House in Lahore.
The special anti-terrorism court presided over by Judge Amjad Ali Shah, conducted the hearing of the case at Adiala Jail today, according to media reports.
During the hearing, defence counsels raised objections to the indictment’s contents, noting that the GHQ investigation report includes statements from 94 witnesses, 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Lawyer Babar Awan argued that the individuals who initially implicated PTI leaders have since withdrawn their statements.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 among the 25 accused individuals present. Former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has submitted a petition requesting his acquittal in an attempt to avoid indictment.
Babar Awan’s speaks to reporters outside court
Speaking to the media outside the ATC, Babar Awan criticized the trial, calling the charges politically motivated. He argued that PTI workers seen on Murree Road were only carrying flags but were still labeled as terrorists, comparing the situation to the lack of a formal trial for alleged spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
He stressed that the Supreme Court has called for swift trials in terrorism cases and reaffirmed that PTI seeks no deal, only fair treatment.
Awan highlighted that four separate investigation reports submitted by the police found no evidence against PTI leaders or activists.
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.
Private news channel obtained a copy of the GHQ attack case report, which 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.
