GHQ attack case: Details of challan against Imran Khan and others

Details of the challan in the case over the attack on Pakistan's General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during the unrest on May 9, have shown that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman, Imran Khan, along with other defendants, faces a total of 27 serious charges.

Copies of the challan were distributed to 28 defendants, including former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, PTI's Usman Dar and Raja Basharat, for the indictment process.

However, Imran Khan did not receive a copy due to the lack of a jail trial, postponing his indictment to a later date.

According to the challan, the accused attacked GHQ under the leadership of former provincial law minister Raja Basharat, breaking down gates and clashing violently with military personnel, Express News reported.

The assailants vandalised sensitive military properties, setting fires and launching assaults with sticks and stones, as well as using petrol bombs.

The attackers breached the GHQ gate and entered the premises, attempting to create an environment of insurrection within the country.

They shattered the windows of the GHQ building, undermined the reputation of the Pakistan Army, and targeted military personnel while chanting anti-state slogans.

The assault extended to the ISI building, executed as part of a planned criminal conspiracy, leading to the arrest of six accused at the scene, with further arrests on their identification.

The challan has requested severe punitive measures against the defendants. Three state witnesses—former Member of the National Assembly Sadqat Abbasi, former Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Waqas Qayoom Abbasi, and former Member of the Provincial Assembly Umar Tanveer Butt—have turned hostile and have filed applications accordingly.

Meanwhile, the special anti-terrorism court, presided over by Judge Amjad Ali Shah, has adjourned the hearing of the GHQ attack case until October 30.

Yesterday, jail authorities barred the judge from entering Adiala jail, citing that no hearings could take place that day. In a letter to the judge, the jail superintendent explained the situation, leading to the postponement of the hearing until 30 October.

The lawyers for Imran Khan submitted requests concerning telephonic communication with his sons, meetings with his legal team, and medical examinations. The court has completed hearings on these requests and reserved its decision.

Additionally, the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism court, Raja Jawad Abbas, has extended the interim bail of PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja in a case registered for protesting outside the Supreme Court until 28 October.

Moreover, the requests for post-arrest bail from Imran Khan's sisters, Aleema and Azma, were postponed until 22 October due to the judge's leave.