Rawalpindi: The court also dismissed a new request for adjournment by Imran Khan’s lawyers in the GHQ attack case.
The GHQ attack case was heard before Judge Syed Amjad Ali Shah of the Special Anti-Terrorism Court, in which the statements of 3 government witnesses were recorded, while the court dismissed the request of the defense lawyers to adjourn the case, while a notice was issued to the prosecution on the application filed by the defense lawyers to summon 8 witnesses again.
71 witnesses of the case declared unnecessary
The court adjourned the hearing of the GHQ attack case until September 30 and summoned the last 3 witnesses on a future date, while 71 witnesses of the case were declared unnecessary and discharged. It should be noted that so far the statements of 44 witnesses have been recorded and 13 have not yet been cross-examined.
During today’s hearing in the court, witnesses presented sticks, flags, police helmets, lighters and pieces of military statues recovered from the arrested accused to the court. Witness Inspector Ismat Kamal presented evidence related to the PTI leadership meeting at Chakri Interchange to the court.
Earlier, the lawyers of PTI founder Imran Khan once again challenged the video link proceedings in the GHQ attack case and applied for adjournment of today’s proceedings, in which they have taken the position that the hearing should be adjourned until the High Court decides on the video link petition.
The demand for adjournment is a delaying tactic, prosecutor
During the hearing, the prosecutor said that this is a delaying tactic, the defense lawyers have already boycotted, their application is not even admissible. The court should dismiss the application and there are 3 witnesses present, their statements should be recorded.
It should be noted that in today’s hearing, the legal team of the founder of PTI once again challenged the proceedings of Imran Khan’s appearance via video link and a third application was filed in this regard.
In the previous hearing, the Anti-Terrorism Court had issued an order to present Imran Khan via video link. On this occasion, along with the official witnesses, the investigation team was also present in the courtroom with a complete record.
Attendance of the accused was very low
During the hearing, the attendance of the accused was very low due to the PTI Peshawar rally, while since the video link was also not active, the court took a break in the hearing and ordered the Superintendent of Jail Adiala to activate WhatsApp calls and video links by 11 am. Meanwhile, the interim bail of Colonel Ajmal Sabir in 8 cases of November 26 was extended till October 7.
Strict security arrangements
On this occasion, strict security arrangements were made inside and outside the courthouse on the court order, walk-through gates were installed at the entrances and a heavy police force was deployed, while a prison van was also called outside the court.
On the occasion of the hearing in the court, public prosecutor Zaheer Shah, Naveed Malik and Ikram Amin Minhas, along with defense lawyers Malik Faisal, Hasnain Sumbal and others arrived at the court.
In a brief conversation before the hearing, PTI founder’s lawyer Faisal Malik said that his client has given special instructions in this case and will bring a big news after the judge arrives.
Objection to WhatsApp trial
It should be noted that defense lawyers have raised objections to the trial procedure. They say that the WhatsApp trial through video link is unfair, because the accused cannot see his lawyer or the witness. The lawyers demand that Imran Khan be either presented in court or the trial be held in an open court inside the jail.
According to sources, a total of 119 accused and 119 witnesses are involved in the case, so far the statements of 41 witnesses have been recorded, while the cross-examination of 12 witnesses is still pending. Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has been exempted from permanent attendance, however, he left for home after appearing today.
The court has also directed the Superintendent Jail to make all arrangements for the video link hearing.
Terrorists are enemies of the army and the entire nation, Azam Swati
PTI leader Azam Swati appeared in court in the GHQ attack case, where while talking to the media, he said that today we have history here as well as in Islamabad, if it goes well, we will go to the Peshawar rally, it is a peaceful and free rally.
He said that terrorists are enemies of our army, our enemies and the entire nation, neither our police nor the army will bow before them. The morale of the Pakistani army, police and the people is high.