ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Pakistan on Thursday indicted former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and other leaders of the party in a case of attacking the military headquarters in Rawalpindi on May 9, 2023.
The attack occurred during the violent protests that erupted across Pakistan following the PTI founder’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court’s premises on May 9. It is pertinent to mention that Imran Khan is named as the main accused in all the May 9 riots cases.
At least 10 people lost their lives and hundreds sustained injuries during the protest that continued for at least 24 hours.
Approximately 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, and an Air Force Base in north western city of Mianwali.
The violence caused a loss of Rs2.5 billion to the national exchequer, of which, according to the state, Rs1.98bn in losses were suffered by the army.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah heard the GHQ attack case at a makeshift court in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail.
Over 100 individuals, including PTI leaders Sheikh Rashid, Omar Ayub, Sheikh Rashid Shafiq, Raja Basharat, and Zartaj Gul were also indicted in the case.
Following the decision of the court, the opposition leader in the National Assembly, Omar Ayub, was arrested, while former Punjab law minister Raja Basharat was also taken into custody immediately after leaving the jail. The court adjourned the case until December 10.
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Last month, Imran’s bail petitions in eight cases pertaining to the May 9 violence, including the Jinnah House attack were dismissed by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore.
In August this year, Imran Khan offered a conditional apology for the widespread protests and violence that occurred on May 9, 2023.
Earlier Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said that the Pakistan Army’s stance on the violent protests of May 9 remains unchanged and that those involved in the riots must be brought to justice.
