ATC orders Imran Khan to appear via video link in next hearing
ISLAMABAD: PTI founder Imran Khan has been directed to appear via video link from Adiala Jail for the next hearing, as the anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case to October 1.
The development came after the Punjab government formally withdrew its notification for holding a jail trial in the case.
Presided over by ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, the court issued summons for three witnesses to appear at the next hearing and instructed that challan copies be distributed in 11 other May 9 cases the same day.
Former foreign minister Shah MahmoodQureshi will also attend via video link from Lahore jail.
The Home Department’s notification withdrawing the jail trial was submitted in court by public prosecutor IkramAmeenMinhas, following a request from Khan’s legal team.
The GHQ attack case hearing has been adjourned until September 19 and proceedings in the other 11 May 9 cases will resume from October 1.
The GHQ attack case had been stalled for three months.
The court ordered all accused to ensure attendance on October 1, including K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. PTI leaders Umar Ayub, ShibliFaraz, ZartajGul, and KanwalShauzab failed to appear despite arrest warrants, and proceedings have begun to declare them proclaimed offenders.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in December 2024 indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and other PTI leaders in connection with the May 9, 2023, attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ).
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 report 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. Staff Report
