Rawalpindi, December 19, 2024: An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi indicted Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and 13 others in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, stemming from the May 9 riots last year.
Chief Minister Gandapur appeared in court, leading to the cancellation of his arrest warrants. The hearing was also attended by several high-profile accused, including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Shibli Faraz.
The court framed charges against Gandapur and 13 co-accused, who pleaded not guilty. The case has been adjourned until December 21.
Those indicted include Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shehryar Afridi, Colonel Shabbir Awan, Latasab Satti, Umar Tanveer Butt, Shibli Faraz, Kanwal Shauzab, Taimoor Masood, Saad Ali Khan, Sikandar Zaib, Zohaib Afridi, Fahad Masood, and Raja Nasser Mehmood. To date, 113 individuals have been charged in connection with the GHQ attack case.
Gandapur, Afridi, and Shauzab filed Section 265-D applications, with the court scheduling a hearing for Wednesday. Additionally, Gandapur appointed Advocate Ghulam Hasnain Sumbal as his legal representative.
Following the court proceedings, Gandapur thanked the judge for cancelling his arrest warrant. After the hearing, the KP Chief Minister visited Adiala Jail to meet PTI founder Imran Khan.
The case stems from the events of May 9, 2023, following Imran Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court on corruption allegations. His arrest triggered nationwide protests by PTI supporters, which escalated into violent riots.
Protesters targeted and vandalized multiple civil and military installations, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Jinnah House and Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore, and the Mianwali airbase. Vehicles were torched, roads were blocked, and clashes with law enforcement caused extensive property damage.
In response, authorities arrested over 5,000 individuals and charged them under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws. The GHQ attack case remains one of the most significant legal proceedings arising from the unrest.
