An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday indicted former prime minister Imran Khan and over 100 other PTI leaders in connection with May 9, 2023, attack on military’s head office General Headquarters (GHQ), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
PTI's violent protestors had attacked GHQ and targeted security installations country-wide following Imran Khan’s arrest. ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted hearing of the case at a makeshift court setup in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
Over 100 individuals, including Sheikh Rashid, Omar Ayub, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Raja Basharat, Zartaj Gul were also indicted in the case.
Following the court’s decision, opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, was arrested, while former Punjab law minister Raja Basharat and Ahmed Chatha were taken into custody immediately after leaving the jail. Subsequently, the court adjourned the case until December 10.
Earlier, several PTI leaders, including omar Ayub, Zartaj Gul, Rashid Shafiq, Sadaqat Abbasi, Waseem Qayyum Abbasi, Javed Kausar, Sajid Qureshi, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, Mohammad Ahmed Chatha, and Usman Dar, had arrived at Adiala Jail for the hearing. The court had summoned all accused in the GHQ attack case, with charges expected to be formally brought against 120 individuals, including PTI’s founder Imran Khan.
In addition, the court has ordered the appearance of Shah Mehmood Qureshi from Lahore Jail. The court also instructed that arrests be made for several PTI leaders, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Shibli Faraz, Shireen Mazari, Zartaj Gul, Zain Qureshi, and Taiba Raja. Furthermore, arrest warrants were issued for 45 absconding accused, with the court warning that legal proceedings would begin to declare them fugitives if they fail to appear.
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.
ATC dismisses PTI founder's plea challenging jurisdiction of the court in GHQ attack case
Earlier, Anti-Terrorism Court on Thursday dismissed the petition of PTI founder Imran Khan challenging the jurisdiction of the court in GHQ attack case.
The court dismissed the petition after hearing the arguments of the parties. While starting his arguments on PTI founder’s application, Public Prosecutor Zaheer Shah contended that exerting pressure on the government through violent protests falls under the category of terrorism, he further added that attack on GHQ was carried out with the intention of inciting Pakistan forces to revolt.
The prosecutor further argued that PTI leaders and workers made a planning on the pattern of terrorist organizations for the achievement of its political goals. He further said the military installations were targeted with a planning much before May 9. Prosecutor Zaheer Shah told the court that attack on GHQ was broadcasted on the international media especially the Indian media.
He said on July 2023, Punjab Home Department issued a report on May 9 incidents, which said that 102 vehicles were damaged. He said PTI workers made organized attacks on 26 buildings of the security forces countrywide. According to the report, the total loss of the attack is estimated at Rs1.6 billion.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah told the court that May 9 events were a direct attack on the country's internal security and sovereignty. The events of May 9 were not only terrorism but also an attempt to wage war against the state of Pakistan, the prosecutor added. Prosecutor Zaheer Shah told the court after 19-month, PTI founder’s petition is aimed at delaying the indictment.
He said PTI damaged the government property, adding that looting, arson and attack on security installations fall under the category of terrorism. Prosecutor Zaheer Shah said creating an atmosphere of chaos by paralyzing civilian life is terrorism, adding that under a well-thought-out plan, military institutions were targeted simultaneously across the country. After hearing the arguments of PTI counsel and public prosecutor ATC dismissed the petition of Imran Khan.
Reporter: Irshad Qurashi