Adiala Jail Superintendent, District Administration Repeatedly Directed by Court to Install and Activate Video Link
The hearing in the May 9 headquarters attack case was adjourned for the 11th consecutive time on Tuesday at the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court, with proceedings adjourned to January 20.
No progress could be made as the video link system remains non-operational at both the Adiala Jail and the anti-terrorism court, even though it has been more than two months since the Home Department issued orders on October 30 to conduct trials through video link or WhatsApp calls.
In every scheduled hearing, the court has repeatedly directed the superintendent of Adiala jail and the district administration to install and activate the video link system in the jail and the courtroom.
PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Malik appeared in court and sought access to his client, who is currently detained in Adiala jail.
“We need to take instructions from the PTI founder regarding the cases,” Malik told the court.
Special public prosecutor Zaheer Shah said Imran Khan is out on bail in the May 9 headquarters attack case and is not in the custody of the anti-terrorism court. He added that the founder of the PTI is now a convicted person and the defense can go to the appropriate forum to seek redress.
A special court sentenced Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case on December 20, which centers on allegations that the couple illegally withheld a set of Bulgari jewelry gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit to Saudi Arabia.
“The convicted person is in the custody of the prison superintendent, who also controls visitation rights,” the prosecutor said.
The defense lawyer stated: “Until we have access to the founder of the PTI, we will not participate in the judicial proceedings.”
The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for between 40 and 45 defendants who were absent. Defense lawyers received a copy of the trial notice via video link, issued by the Punjab Home Department on 30 October.
Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah conducted the hearing, which was adjourned until January 20.
Read: ATC sentences Dr Yasmeen to 10 years in jail and acquits Qureshi
Faisal Malik, the defense lawyer, speaking to the media outside the court, said that the PTI founder should appear in court for the May 9 cases. He noted that though Khan is in Adiala jail, he is out on bail in the May 9 cases. Malik added that if the accused has been convicted in another case, he will normally be produced before the court for the remaining cases.
He urged the court to ensure that the PTI founder appears before the court and that the May 9 cases proceed expeditiously. Malik expressed concern about being denied access to his client, saying: “Nowhere in the world is a lawyer prevented from meeting his client.”
He also noted that the Islamabad High Court, Lahore Bench, has already issued a decision on visitation rights. Malik said the repeated denial of access by the prison authorities amounts to contempt of court and requested the court to grant access or produce the PTI founder before the court.
Convictions
On December 19, the ATC in Lahore delivered its verdict in the May 9 case, sentencing Dr Yasmin Rashid, Umar Sarfraz Cheema, Ejaz Chaudhary and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed to 10 years in prison each, while Shah Mahmood Qureshi was acquitted of all charges in the case.
These PTI leaders have been previously sentenced by various courts in Punjab in connection with riot incidents on May 9, 2023, when party supporters were reportedly involved in attacks on government and military properties following the arrest of Imran Khan.
The court also ordered the arrest and production of four proclaimed criminals: Farooq Anjum, Habib Ahmed, Arsalan and Akbar Khan.
The case, registered at the Race Course police station, pertains to the attack on Club Chowk, GOR Gate, where the accused allegedly damaged security cameras, broke police wireless equipment and gate glass, attacked officials and vandalized public property.
Read more: Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi sentenced to 17 years in Toshakhana 2.0
attack on headquarters
May 9 relates to the violent protests that broke out after the arrest of Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court premises on May 9, 2023. The protests were reportedly involved in widespread vandalism and attacks on public and military property, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of PTI workers and leaders in related cases.
At least eight people were killed and hundreds injured during the unrest, while some 40 public buildings and military installations were damaged. These included the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House), Askari Tower, General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, ISI office in Faisalabad, FC Fort in Chakdara, Radio Pakistan Peshawar, Swat Expressway Toll Plaza and Mianwali Air Base.
Several PTI leaders, including Shibli Faraz, are already facing cases related to the riots, as investigations and proceedings continue.
In December 2024, an anti-terrorism court indicted Khan and other PTI leaders in connection with the May 9, 2023 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ).
Last year, Imran Khan was arrested in the headquarters attack case and soon after, his release order was issued in the cipher case. The express PAkGazette obtained a copy of the Headquarters attack case report, which outlines 27 serious charges against Khan and other accused.
Also read: When was the last time you saw Imran Khan?
The report alleges that under the leadership of former Provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat, the accused stormed the gate of the Headquarters, causing significant property damage despite military personnel warning them to stop.
The accused are also alleged to have broken into sensitive areas of the headquarters, started fires, thrown Molotov cocktails and created chaos within the premises.
According to the report, chants such as “No Pakistan without Khan” and “Behind this terrorism is the uniform” were allegedly raised, targeting military personnel and attacking the reputation of Pakistan’s armed forces.
The investigation report states that attacks also took place on sensitive ISI offices and Headquarters, characterizing the protest as a criminal conspiracy.
