ATC rejects Imran Khan’s request for halt in GHQ attack case proceedings

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Rawalpindi: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday rejected the request of Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who is searching for a judicial proceedings in a case related to the attack on the general headquarters (GHQ) on May 9.

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah today heard the hearing on two petitions, which was filed by Khan, in which the court on September 19 searched for the court to provide CCTV footage of the judicial proceedings and to stop the proceedings till the High Court order regarding the transfer of the jail case.

During the hearing, where Khan was practically presented to the court via WhatsApp link, PTI founder’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, claimed that he did not want to be part of the proceedings in consultation with the former prime minister.

For this, the court said: “During the last hearing, you consulted with the PTI founder [then] Boycotted the action “.

When the court suggested challenging WhatsApp communication in the High Court, lawyer Malik said he had already done so.

“[A] WhatsApp call could not be considered [attendance] Through a video link, “the lawyer said more time from the court to challenge the previous court order.

“You can challenge it [however] The judicial proceedings cannot be stopped, “the court replied.

Highlighting that defense lawyers boycotted the previous hearing, Prosecutor Ikram Amin said the prosecution was not obliged to answer any of their questions.

The prosecutor said, “Defense lawyers boycott the court hearing and then seek more time the next day. His behavior shows that he is not serious in the case,” the prosecutor added that the defense team was wasting court time.

Responding to prosecutor Zaheer Shah’s argument that there is a contempt of court inquiry into the court’s order, lawyer Malik said he was merely seeking a fair trial.

The defense lawyer claimed, “If the suspect cannot listen to his lawyer, and on the contrary, what is a fair trial.”

At the request of the defense team for CCTV footage, Prosecutor Zaheer said that as directed by the Lahore High Court (LHC), no one can be provided any footage or transcript.

On this, Khan’s lawyer Salman Akram Raja said that the court does not work on government instructions but works according to the constitution.

The Raja stressed, “It is not possible to present a person on the WhatsApp to a person who is in a cell, to which the court said he had the right to challenge the court order.

After hearing both arguments on both sides, the court rejected the petitions filed by the former Prime Minister.

In this case, a total of 41 witnesses recorded their statements, the court also adjourned the hearing till September 27.

The Punjab government has followed the decision to reject Khan’s personal appearance last week after the GHQ attack case canceled the jail trial of all May 9 cases, following the progress.

GHQ attack

PTI founder Khan had charged with dozens of PTI workers in the GHQ attack case on May 9, in December 2024, in the GHQ attack case.

More than 143 people, including Khan, were named the accused in the case, while 23, including Zulfiqi Bukhari, Shahbaz Gul and Murad Saeed, were registered as fugitives. In addition, all the accused are forbidden to travel abroad.

At least 70 PTI leaders were accused of planning the May 9 programs and encouraged workers and supporters to attack military and government installations after the arrest of the deposed prime minister by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The May 9 riots were mobilized on May 9 after the arrest of the deposed Prime Minister Khan in a settlement of $ 90 million. In 2023, hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind bars because of violence and attacks on military installations.

During the protest, the miscreants targeted civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.