198 indicted in GHQ attack case; daily hearings from Jan 13

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC), while allowing Imran Khan to speak with his sons and undergo a medical check-up, has ordered daily hearings of the GHQ attack case from January 13.

During the hearing held at Adiala Jail on Wednesday, the court indicted another accused, Shaheer Sikandar in the GHQ attack case, bringing the total number of indicted suspects to 118. 

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing, where Imran Khan and other accused were presented in court. However, no witness testimonies were recorded as no notices had been issued for their appearance. Instead, attendance of the accused was marked. 

The court marked the trial of an absconder, Muhammad Asim, separate from the case, and asked the prosecution to present evidence at the next hearing. 

The ATC also approved Usman Dar’s request to travel abroad from January 13 to February 21, appointing Husnain Iqbal Sunbal as his pleader in his absence. 

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In addition, three new applications were filed before the court during the proceedings of GHQ attack case.

Opposition Leader Omar Ayub filed request for getting access to the case records, including copies of audio, video, and confessional statements.

Similarly, two accused in the case, Colonel (retd) Ajmal Sabir and Ansar Iqbal, filed acquittal pleas.

The court invited arguments on these applications by the defence counsels in the next hearing.

Moreover, the ATC also conducted hearings for 13 cases related to the May 9 riots, marking the attendance of accused individuals, including former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed and PTI leaders Shibli Faraz and Usman Dar.

Multiple cases related to the May 9 riots have been registered at different police stations in Rawalpindi under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other legal provisions.

These hearings on these cases were adjourned until January 29. 

It may be added here that the PTI demanded of the government during the ongoing talks to release under-trial political prisoners and the form a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9 and November 26, 2023.