- PTI founder will appear through video link only as per Punjab govt’s notification: judge
- PTI decides to challenge video link notification in high court, court adjourns proceedings until Sept 23
RAWALPINDI: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday dismissed a plea seeking the in-person appearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case linked to the May 9 violent protests.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who heard the matter, ruled that Khan would continue to appear via video link. “As per the Punjab government notification, the PTI founding chairman will appear through video link only,” the judge remarked.
The development came two days after the Punjab government cancelled the jail trial of all May 9 cases, including the GHQ attack case, and withdrew its earlier notification. Under the revised order, Imran Khan will attend proceedings virtually, while the remaining accused will appear physically before the court.
During Friday’s proceedings, Khan connected via video link after three attempts. Initially, the court was informed at 10:30am that he would appear at 11am; he eventually joined at 11:25am.
Khan’s counsel, Faisal Malik, requested a private conversation with his client, which the court allowed. However, the PTI founder began a political discussion instead of focusing on legal matters. Counsel Malik informed him that the video link notification was being challenged in the high court and sought instructions for the day’s hearing.
“We are challenging the video link notification in the high court,” counsel told the court before announcing a boycott of the proceedings.
Despite the boycott, the ATC continued hearing and recorded the testimonies of two prosecution witnesses—Sub-Inspector Saleem Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Manzoor Shehzad. The court then adjourned the case until September 23, summoning 10 more witnesses from the FIA, PEMRA, PID, Internal Security, and the Ministry of Interior.
GHQ attack case
In December 2024, PTI founder Imran Khan and dozens of party workers were indicted in the GHQ attack case arising from the May 9 protests. More than 143 individuals, including Khan, were named as accused, while 23 others—among them Zulfi Bukhari, Shahbaz Gill and Murad Saeed—were declared fugitives. All accused have also been barred from travelling abroad.
At least 70 PTI leaders were charged with planning the May 9 events and inciting supporters to attack military and government installations after the arrest of Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the £190 million settlement case.
The May 9 riots saw violent demonstrations across the country, with PTI workers and leaders accused of targeting civil and military facilities, including the Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Hundreds of party workers and senior leaders were later jailed for their alleged involvement in the unrest.
