Superintendent of Adiala Jail, district administration repeatedly instructed by court to install, activate video link
The hearing in the May 9 GHQ attack case was adjourned for the 11th consecutive time on Tuesday in Rawalpindi’s Anti-Terrorism Court, with proceedings deferred until January 20.
No progress could be made as the video link system remains non-operational at both Adiala Jail and the anti-terrorism court, despite more than two months having passed since the Home Department issued orders on October 30 to conduct trials through video link or WhatsApp calls.
On each scheduled hearing, the court has repeatedly directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail and the district administration to install and activate the video link system at the jail and the courtroom.
PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, appeared before the court and requested access to his client, who is currently held at Adiala Jail.
“We need 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 that the defence may approach the relevant forum for relief.
A special court sentenced Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case on December 20, which centres on allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
“The convicted individual is under the custody of the jail superintendent, who also controls visitation rights,” said the prosecutor.
The defence lawyer stated, “Until we gain access to the PTI founder, we will not participate in judicial proceedings.”
The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 40 to 45 accused who were absent. A copy of the video link trial notification, issued by the Punjab Home Department on October 30, was provided to the defence lawyers.
Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing, which was adjourned until January 20.
Read: ATC hands Dr Yasmeen 10-year jail, acquits Qureshi
Faisal Malik, the defence lawyer, speaking to the media outside the court, said the PTI founder should be produced in court for the 9 May cases. He noted that although Khan is in Adiala Jail, he is on bail for the 9 May 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 cases proceed swiftly. Malik expressed concern that access to his client is being denied, saying, “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 visitation rights. Malik said that repeated denial of access by jail authorities amounts to contempt of court and requested the court either to grant access or to produce the PTI founder in court.
Convictions
The ATC in Lahore on December 19 delivered its verdict in the May 9 case, sentencing 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 sentenced by various courts in Punjab in connection with incidents of unrest on May 9, 2023, when party supporters reportedly engaged in attacks on government and military properties following the arrest of Imran Khan.
The court also ordered the arrest and production of four proclaimed offenders, Farooq Anjum, Habib Ahmed, Arsalan, and Akbar Khan.
The case, registered at Race Course Police Station, pertains to the attack on Club Chowk, GOR Gate, where the accused allegedly damaged security cameras, broke police wireless equipment and gate glass, attacked officials, and vandalised public property.
Read more: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2.0
GHQ attack
May 9 relates to the violent protests that erupted after the arrest of Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises on May 9, 2023. The demonstrations were reportedly involved in widespread vandalism and attacks on public and military property, resulting in hundreds of PTI workers and leaders arrested in related cases.
At least eight people were killed and hundreds were injured during the riots, while around 40 public buildings and military installations suffered damage. These included the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, the ISI office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan Peshawar, the Swat Motorway Toll Plaza and the Mianwali Air Base.
Several PTI leaders, including Shibli Faraz are already facing cases linked to the unrest, as investigations and proceedings continue.
An anti-terrorism court in December 2024 indicted Khan and other PTI leaders in connection with the May 9, 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. The Express Tribune obtained a copy of the GHQ attack case report, which outlines 27 severe charges against Khan and other accused individuals.
Also Read: When was the last time you saw Imran Khan?
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, thrown 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, characterising the protest as a criminal conspiracy.
