Superintendent of Adiala Jail, District Administration repeatedly directed by court to install, enable video link
The hearing in the May 9 GHQ attack case was adjourned for the 11th consecutive time on Tuesday in the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court, with the case adjourned to January 20.
No progress could be made as the video link system remains non-operational at both the Adiala jail and the anti-terror court, despite more than two months having passed since the Home Ministry issued orders on October 30 to conduct trials through video link or WhatsApp calls.
At every scheduled hearing, the court has repeatedly directed the Superintendent of Adiala Jail and the District Administration to install and activate the video link system in the jail and the courtroom.
PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, appeared before the court and sought access to his client, who is currently detained in Adiala jail.
“We have to take instructions from the PTI founder regarding the cases,” Malik told the court.
Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah said Imran Khan is out on bail in the May 9 GHQ attack case and is not in the custody of the Anti-Terrorism Court. He added that the PTI founder is now a convicted person and the defense can approach the relevant forum for relief.
A special court sentenced Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years each in the Toshakhana-II case on December 20, which centers on allegations that the couple illegally kept a Bulgari jewelery set gifted by the Saudi crown prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
“The convict is under the custody of the prison inspector, who also controls visitation rights,” the prosecutor said.
The defense lawyer stated, “Until we get access to the PTI founder, we will not participate in court proceedings.”
The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 40 to 45 accused, who were absent. A copy of the video link trial notice, issued by the Punjab Home Ministry on October 30, was provided to the defense lawyers.
Anti-terrorism court judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over the hearing, which was adjourned to January 20.
Read: ATC provides Dr. Yasmeen 10 years in prison, acquits Qureshi
Speaking to the media outside the court, Faisal Malik, the defense lawyer, said the PTI founder was to be produced in court for the proceedings on May 9. He noted that though Khan is in Adiala jail, he is on bail for the May 9 cases. Malik added that if the accused has been convicted in another case, he is usually presented in court for the remaining cases.
He urged the court to ensure that the PTI founder is produced in court and that the May 9 proceedings proceed expeditiously. Expressing concern that access to his client is being denied, Malik said: “Nowhere in the world is a lawyer prevented from meeting their client.”
He also noted that the Islamabad High Court, Lahore Bench, has already issued a decision on visiting rights. Malik said the jail authorities’ repeated denial of entry amounts to contempt of court and requested the court to either grant entry or produce the PTI founder in court.
Beliefs
The Lahore ATC on December 19 delivered its verdict in the May 9 case, convicting Dr. Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed to 10 years in prison each, while Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted of all charges in the case.
These PTI leaders have previously been convicted by various courts in Punjab in connection with incidents of riots on 9 May 2023, where party supporters were allegedly involved in attacks on government and military properties following the arrest of Imran Khan.
The court also ordered the arrest and production of four declared offenders, Farooq Anjum, Habib Ahmed, Arsalan and Akbar Khan.
The case registered at Race Course Police Station pertains to the attack at Club Chowk, GOR Gate, where the accused allegedly damaged security cameras, broke police wireless equipment and gate glass, assaulted officials and vandalized public property.
Read more: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2.0
GHQ attack
9 May relates to the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises on 9 May 2023. The demonstrations reportedly involved widespread vandalism and attacks on public and military property, resulting in hundreds of PTI workers and leaders being arrested in related cases.
At least eight people were killed and hundreds were injured during the unrest, while around 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged. These included the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, ISI office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan Peshawar, Swat Motorway Toll Plaza and Mianwali Air Base.
Several PTI leaders, including Shibli Faraz, are already facing cases linked to the unrest as investigations and cases continue.
An anti-terrorism court in December 2024 indicted Khan and other PTI leaders in connection with the 9 May 2023 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Last year, Imran Khan was arrested in the GHQ attack case and soon after his release warrant was issued in the cypher case. Express Pakinomist obtained a copy of the GHQ attack case report, which details 27 serious allegations against Khan and other accused persons.
Read also: When was the last time you saw Imran Khan?
The report claims that the accused, led by former provincial law minister Raja Basharat, stormed the GHQ gate and caused considerable property damage despite being warned by military personnel to stop.
The accused are also said to have broken into sensitive areas of the GHQ, set fire, hurled petrol bombs and wreaked havoc on 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 Armed Forces.
The investigation report states that attacks were also carried out on sensitive ISI and GHQ offices, characterizing the protest as a criminal conspiracy.
