Video-link appearance: Imran Khan boycotts court hearing in GHQ attack case
Defence lawyers also walk out of courtroom after PTI founder's boycott: Imran Khan holds just political conversation with his lawyers on video link in courtroom: JIT officials produce 5 USBs containing May 9 footage and other evidence in court: Court dismisses application to present Imran in person: ATC Rawalpindi adjourns trial till Sep 23: Fawad Choudhry slams media ban, calls for Imran Khan's open trial: Says dialogue with Imran is key to political stability in Pakistan
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi, hearing the GHQ attack case, witnessed high drama when PTI founder and former premier Imran Khan boycotted proceedings via video link.
Following Imran Khan's move, PTI lawyers also staged a protest walkout and exited the courtroom, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Friday.
The case was heard by Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the special anti-terrorism court, where Imran Khan was produced through video link from Adiala Jail.
The court allowed the defence lawyers to speak with their client, Imran Khan. However, during the hearing, Imran Khan avoided legal arguments with his lawyers and instead delivered political remarks.
During proceedings, two IT officers appointed by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), Manzoor Shahzad and Saleem Qureshi, recorded their statements before the court.
The court was also presented with five USB drives containing footage related to the May 9 events. Witnesses further submitted details regarding video clips sourced from newspapers, social media, and other platforms.
Inspector Saleem Qureshi informed the court that he had downloaded 40 video clips related to Imran Khan and submitted them to the JIT.
He also presented clips concerning PTI leaders Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, Umar Tanveer Butt, and Sikandar Mirza. The prosecution team, led by Zahid Shah, was also present in the courtroom.
During the hearing, the judge also dismissed the application to present the PTI founder in person and declared that, as per the notification of the Punjab government, Imran Khan will appear via video link only.
The court has also summoned 10 witnesses from the FIA, PEMRA, PID, Internal Security, and the Ministry of Interior for the next hearing.
Later, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi adjourned the GHQ attack case until September 23.
After the hearing, PTI leader Fawad Choudhry spoke to the media, claiming that “today a pattern has been changed”, as the trial is now being held under anti-terrorism court rules where media and mobile phones are not permitted.
He questioned the restrictions, asking why there was so much fear of Imran Khan’s image being leaked.
Fawad recalled that when an image was leaked from the Supreme Court, “half the Supreme Court had to be suspended”, arguing that both the judiciary and administration are not free. He emphasised that dialogue with Imran Khan was key to political stability in Pakistan.
“If there has to be a trial of the PTI founder, make it open. Media should be allowed inside the court because only when we are given space can we practice politics,” Fawad said. Responding to a question, however, he admitted that PTI currently has no clear political strategy.
On foreign affairs, Fawad said Pakistan should fully benefit from its new agreement with Saudi Arabia, calling it a blessing for the country.
He added that while the US had been controlling the Middle East after Britain, Pakistan now has an opportunity to establish its role alongside Arab nations.
He further claimed that India had become completely isolated on the global stage.
Reporter: Irshad Qureshi