GHQ attack case: trial begins as prosecution presents evidence

RAWALPINDI: The trial for the GHQ attack case formally began at the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) set up inside Adiala Jail, where witnesses presented key evidence against the accused, including helmets, petrol bombs, mobile phones, batons, PTI-branded caps, and other ‘key items’. 

During the Wednesday’s proceedings, four eyewitnesses from Rawalpindi police – ASI Saqib, constables Shakeel, Sajjad, and Yasir – recorded their statements before the court. 

The items recovered from the accused and presented before the court as evidence included a helmet allegedly snatched from the security personnel, petrol bombs, broken pieces of martyrs’ statues, mobile phones, batons, flags, PTI-branded caps, wires, and matchsticks. 

One of the eyewitnesses identified multiple accused, including former provincial minister Raja Basharat, and testified that he had led the protest outside GHQ. 

During the proceedings, Imran Khan was present in the courtroom, while tensions flared between defense lawyers and the prosecution over legal arguments. 

The court summoned five additional witnesses at the next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until January 18. 

Fawad decries Indictment

After hearing of the GHQ attack case, former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry spoke to the media outside the jail, alleging that the ATC judge was not listening to the defense and had indiscriminately indicted all accused. 

“We don’t even know what crime we are being charged with, yet an indictment has been issued,” he claimed. 

He said the country was in a state of turmoil, with rising terrorism and a struggling economy. He further stated that Imran Khan remained in high spirits and believed that Pakistan could not progress under the current circumstances. 

Fawad Chaudhry also announced that PTI would observe February 8 as a “Black Day” and hold protests across the country, with all party ticket holders instructed to demonstrate in their constituencies. 

In response to a question, he urged the government to de-escalate tensions by creating a conducive environment for dialogue and showing leniency toward political prisoners. 

“There was never any distance between me and Imran Khan,” he added.