Rawalpindi, September 23, 2025: Lawyers for Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan on Tuesday boycotted proceedings of a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC) after poor connectivity disrupted their client’s virtual appearance via WhatsApp.
The ATC, presided over by Judge Amjad Ali Shah, was hearing a case related to the May 9, 2023 attack on the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ), which followed Khan’s arrest and sparked violent nationwide protests targeting state buildings and military installations.
Imran, incarcerated in Adiala Jail since August 2023, was connected to the courtroom through a WhatsApp call after the court had last week dismissed a plea for his physical production. However, his lawyers — Salman Akram Raja and Faisal Malik — complained that the video and audio feeds were so poor that neither side could effectively communicate.
“A mobile phone was placed before Khan sahib in jail, on which a video call was made. On this side, the judge received the call on a phone he had,” Raja told reporters outside the court. “Khan sahib could not hear what was being said, and the court could not hear him. Then obviously, Khan sahib is unaware of the testimonies being recorded.”
The PTI legal team argued that the disrupted link deprived their client of his right to consult privately with his lawyers and to follow witness testimony, rendering the trial “unfair.” They walked out in protest, rejecting the recording of statements in such circumstances.
Despite the boycott, the court went on to record statements from eight prosecution witnesses, including officials from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the Pakistan Information Department. The hearing was later adjourned until September 27, when more witnesses will be summoned.
Imran Khan was indicted in the GHQ attack case on December 5, 2024, and formally arrested in connection with the matter by Rawalpindi police in January this year.
Meanwhile, the PTI lawyers said they had filed a plea with the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi bench against the current trial process, insisting on an open hearing and unhindered communication with their client.
