PTI founder, other's plea against indictment in GHQ attack case dismissed
- By Web Desk -
- Dec 20, 2024
RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi has dismissed the pleas of PTI founder Imran Khan and 10 other party leaders against their indictment in the GHQ attack case, ARY News reported.
As per details, the court ruled that the prosecution’s evidence is sufficient to start the trial, and that the indictment of the accused has already been made.
The court also stated that after the indictment, requests under Section 265-D are no longer effective. Other PTI leaders whose pleas were dismissed include Ali Amin Gandapur, Kunwal Shauzab, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shibli Faraz.
The prosecution was represented by Rana Rafaqat Zahoor Shah, while Imran Khan’s legal team consisted of Muhammad Faisal Malik and Faisal Farid Chaudhry.
On December 5, 2024, PTI founder Imran Khan along with 60 other PTI leaders were indicted in the GHQ attack case.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah indicted Imran Khan and 60 other PTI leaders in the GHQ attack case.
Following the ATC verdict, the police arrested four PTI leaders, including Omar Ayub, Raja Basharat, and Malik Ahmad Chatta, in connection with the case. 23 other accused, including Murad Saeed, Shehbaz Gill, and Zulfi Bukhari, have already been declared proclaimed offenders.
May 9 violence
The PTI chairman was arrested on May 9, 2023 from the premises of the Islamabad High Court, where he was attending a hearing in a corruption case. Khan, who served as the prime minister of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, was accused of receiving illegal gifts and assets from foreign countries.
Imran Khan’s arrest sparked widespread protests and riots across the country, as his supporters and party workers took to the streets to demand his release.
The PTI protesters attacked and vandalized several civil and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the army in Rawalpindi, the Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali airbase and others. The protesters also burned vehicles, blocked roads, and clashed with the police and security forces.
More than 5,000 people were arrested and charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws for their involvement in the riots. The government also accused Khan of being the mastermind behind the attacks and said that it had evidence of his involvement.