May 9 mayhem: Imran Khan indicted in GHQ attack case
PTI founder, who has been behind bars for more than a year, has denied charges levelled against him
December 05, 2024
- ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducts hearing in Adiala Jail.
- Total of 100 people, including Sheikh Rashid, were indicted.
- 23 PTI leaders, including Zulfi Bukhari, listed as fugitives.
Jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Thursday was indicted in General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case related to May 9 violent protests broke out in the country last year.
The development came during a hearing of the case in the Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC). ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing of the case at a make-shift court set up in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.
A legal team representing the former ruling party was also present during the hearing.
A total of 100 people, including former interior minister Sheikh Rashid, were indicted in the GHQ attack case — which was registered at R.A. Bazar Police Station. However, Imran among other indicted leaders denied charges against them.
Over 143 individuals, including Khan, were named as accused in the case, while 23, including Zulfi Bukhari, Shahbaz Gill and Murad Saeed, were listed as fugitives. Additionally, all accused have been prohibited from travelling abroad.
Following the indictment, the court fixed Dec 10 as the date for recording the evidence of the prosecution.
It is pertinent to mention here that the indictment in this case was deferred four times due to several reasons.
At least 70 PTI leaders were accused of planning the May 9 events and inciting the workers and supporters to attack military and government installations following the arrest of the ousted prime minister by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
During the protests, the miscreants targeted the civil and military installations including — Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military termed May 9 "Black Day" and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
The PTI founder, however, blames the “agencies men” for arson and shooting in some areas during the May 9 violent protests.
The then-government as well as the one currently ruling have time and again blamed the PTI founder and the party's senior leadership for engineering allegedly "organised" attacks on military installations.
Despite securing relief in major cases, the former premier still faces a number of cases related to the May 9 incidents which are being heard by an Anti-Terrorism Court.
Last month, Imran’s bail petitions in eight cases related to the May 9 violence, including the Jinnah House attack were rejected by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore.
The cases included charges related to the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks, arson and vandalism at Shadman police station, and the burning of police vehicles at Rahat Bakery Chowk and Zaman Park.
