ATC throws out PTI plea for Imran Khan's in-person appearance in GHQ attack case

• Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducts hearing at ATC Rawalpindi.
• PTI decides to challenge video link notification in high court.
• Court adjourns proceedings in GHQ attack case until Sept 23.
  

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday dismissed the plea seeking Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's personal appearance in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case related to May 9 violent protests. 

Judge Amjad Ali Shah heard the case at ATC Rawalpindi and rejected PTI's plea for Khan’s personal appearance.

“As per the Punjab government notification, the PTI founding chairman will appear through video link only,” the judge remarked.

The development comes two days after the Punjab government cancelled the jail trial of all May 9 cases, including the GHQ attack case, and withdrew its earlier notification.

As per the new notification, the former chairman will attend proceedings via video link, while the remaining accused will appear in person before the court.

During today's proceedings, Imran Khan joined through video link after three attempts.

At 10:30am the court was informed he would appear at 11am, and he eventually joined at 11:25am.

During the hearing, Imran’s counsel Faisal Malik requested a private conversation with Khan, which the court allowed.

However, during the proceedings, the PTI founding chairman started a political discussion instead of addressing legal points.

Counsel Faisal Malik informed Imran Khan that they are challenging the video link notification in court and sought the latter’s instructions for today’s proceedings.

“We are challenging the video link notification in the high court,” Imran’s counsel informed the court and boycotted proceedings.

Despite the boycott, the ATC continued proceedings and recorded testimonies of two prosecution witnesses — Sub-Inspector Saleem Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Manzoor Shehzad.

Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing until September 23 and summoned 10 witnesses from the FIA, PEMRA, PID, Internal Security, and the Ministry of Interior in the next hearing. 

GHQ attack case

PTI founder Imran Khan along with dozens of other PTI workers indicted in the GHQ attack case related to May 9 violent protests in December 2024.

Over 143 individuals, including Khan, were named as accused in the case, while 23, including Zulfi Bukhari, Shahbaz Gill and Murad Saeed, were listed as fugitives. Additionally, all accused have been prohibited from travelling abroad.

At least 70 PTI leaders were accused of planning the May 9 events and inciting the workers and supporters to attack military and government installations following the arrest of the ousted prime minister by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The May 9 riots were triggered across the country after the deposed prime minister Khan's arrest in the £190 million settlement case. Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were put behind bars for their involvement in violence and attacks on military installations in 2023.

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