By Asif Naveed
RAWALPINDI; After the Punjab government withdrew its notification regarding the jail trial in the GHQ attack case, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has fixed October 1 as the next hearing date. On that day, the PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan will participate in the proceedings via video link from jail.
Judge Amjid Ali Shah presided over the hearing and directed jail authorities to arrange the video link facility for the PTI founder Imran Khan on October 1. The court also issued summons for three witnesses in the GHQ attack case, ordering that their presence be ensured at the upcoming hearing. Additionally, the court said that copies of the challan in 11 other May 9-related cases would also be provided to the PTI founder on the same date.
Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi is also set to appear through video link from Lahore Jail on October 1. Media reports indicate that summons have been issued to all accused, including KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur. Meanwhile, PTI leaders Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, Zartaj Gul, and Kanwal Shauzab failed to appear despite outstanding arrest warrants against them. The court noted that legal proceedings had been initiated to declare them proclaimed offenders.
The ATC had earlier issued arrest warrants for 14 accused persons following a sentence handed down by a Faisalabad court.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the Home Department’s notification cancelling the jail trial of the GHQ attack case was submitted before the court. The prosecution presented the document after the defence counsel requested a copy.
The court adjourned the GHQ attack case to September 19, while the other 11 cases related to the May 9 incidents were adjourned until October 11.
The GHQ attack case had been delayed for the past three months due to the pending decision on whether to hold proceedings inside jail.
