Rawalpindi, September 19, 2025: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday dismissed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s request to personally appear in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case linked to the May 9 violent protests.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah, while hearing the case, ruled that Khan would continue to attend proceedings via video link in line with a Punjab government notification.
“As per the Punjab government notification, the PTI founding chairman will appear through video link only,” the judge remarked.
The development comes two days after the Punjab government cancelled jail trials in all May 9-related cases, including the GHQ attack case, and withdrew its earlier directive. Under the new arrangement, Imran Khan will join hearings virtually, while other accused are required to appear in person.
During Friday’s hearing, Imran Khan joined the court proceedings through video link after multiple delays. Initially, the court was informed at 10:30am that he would appear at 11am; he eventually connected at 11:25am.
Imran’s counsel, Faisal Malik, requested a private conversation with Khan, which the court allowed. However, instead of focusing on legal issues, Khan reportedly began a political discussion during the exchange.
Counsel Malik informed the court that PTI is challenging the video link notification in the Lahore High Court. Announcing a boycott of the proceedings, the defence walked out, leaving the trial to continue in their absence.
Despite the boycott, the ATC recorded testimonies of two prosecution witnesses — Sub-Inspector Saleem Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Manzoor Shehzad. The hearing was then adjourned until September 23, with the court summoning 10 additional prosecution witnesses from the FIA, PEMRA, PID, Internal Security, and the Ministry of Interior.
Imran Khan, along with dozens of PTI leaders and workers, was indicted in December 2024 in the GHQ attack case stemming from the May 9 unrest. A total of 143 individuals were named as accused, including Khan, while 23 others — among them Zulfi Bukhari, Shahbaz Gill, and Murad Saeed — were declared fugitives. All accused have been barred from travelling abroad.
Authorities allege that 70 PTI leaders orchestrated and incited the May 9 protests following Khan’s arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the £190 million settlement case. The protests spiraled into nationwide riots, with mobs targeting civil and military installations, including the Jinnah House in Lahore and the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
Hundreds of PTI workers and senior leaders were subsequently detained for their alleged involvement in the violence.
