Rawalpindi: Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been formally charged in the May 9 GHQ attack case.
The hearing took place at Adiala Jail, presided over by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah. The GHQ Attack Case pertains to the violent protests targeting military installations following Imran Khan’s arrest earlier this year.
Several other accused individuals, including PTI leaders Umar Ayub, Sheikh Rasheed, Fawad Chaudhry, Zartaj Gul, and Raja Basharat, were also present. Judge Shah read the charges aloud after hearing arguments from the defense and prosecution.
Sheikh Rasheed and other PTI leaders were also indicted. A total of 100 individuals face charges in this case.
The accused pleaded not guilty during the hearing. The case was initially registered at the RA Bazaar police station, naming 143 suspects.
The court has already declared 23 accused, including Shahbaz Gill, Zulfi Bukhari, and Murad Saeed, as absconders. They remain at large and have yet to be apprehended.
The prosecution alleges that 70 PTI leaders planned the events of May 9. They are accused of inciting party workers to engage in arson and attack government and military installations.
The court has scheduled December 10 to begin recording evidence from the prosecution. The investigation is expected to shed light on the planning and execution of the attacks.
Separately, after the hearing concluded, police arrested Opposition Leader Umar Ayub, Malik Ahmed Chattha, and former Punjab minister Raja Basharat outside Adiala Jail.
The reasons behind their arrests were not immediately disclosed. They were taken to the jail police checkpoint for further processing.
This high-profile case continues to unfold, with further developments anticipated as evidence and testimonies are recorded.