An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Monday dismissed acquittal petitions filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and two co-accused in the May 9 General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case. , Express News reported.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah rejected the pleas submitted by Imran Khan, retired Colonel Ajmal Sabir and Suhail Irfan Abbasi, ruling in favor of the prosecution’s arguments.
During the hearing, prosecutor Zaheer Shah argued that the trial was ongoing and that statements of 12 witnesses had already been recorded. “At this stage, hearing a statement of acquittal is inappropriate. “The court should allow the prosecution to present its evidence,” he added.
He further cited precedent, noting that Sheikh Rashid’s plea of acquittal in a similar case had been rejected by the lower court, a decision later upheld by the higher court. The court, agreeing with the prosecution’s arguments, rejected the three defendants’ requests for acquittal.
The Headquarters attack case relates to violent incidents that occurred on May 9, 2023, when protesters broke into and vandalized military installations following the arrest of Imran Khan, leading to widespread unrest across Pakistan.
