New details emerge in GHQ gate attack case

Court hears new details of GHQ gate attack, with evidence pointing to key suspects.

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Police have submitted a new document in the anti-terrorism court hearing the GHQ Gate attack case, with an inspection note offering fresh insights into the incident.

During the hearing in the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi, the inspection note was presented as Supplementary 1, Paragraph 44. The inspection note, as part of supplementary evidence, details findings from 54 locations around the GHQ gate, Express News reported.

The note reveals that the attack involved several suspects carrying Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) flags, caps, and petrol bombs.

Notably, the inspection also mentions the damage caused to military symbols and statues outside the GHQ, including the army logo and the statue of a soldier. The attackers, led by Raja Basharat and Khalid Jadoon, reportedly incited a group of 300 individuals, who engaged in chanting slogans and throwing stones, petrol bombs, and using sticks.

Despite attempts by the police to stop the attackers, they continued to advance, breaking through the gate. They vandalised the surrounding area, including destroying plastic chairs and burning tyres, creating widespread panic. The note further outlines the arrests of suspects Hamza Latif and Khadim Hussain at the scene.

Earlier today, the indictment of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and 124 other accused individuals in the GHQ attack case was postponed for the third time.

Lawyers for Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Amjad Khan Niazi, Omar Tanveer Butt, Waqas Qayyum, Major Tahir Sadiq, Omar Ayub, and others completed their arguments before Judge Amjad Ali Shah.

During the proceedings, the prosecution raised an objection regarding lawyers presenting arguments without having any official power of attorney.

Public Prosecutor Zahid Shah argued that 102 lawyers for the accused had not yet filed their power of attorney documents.

He requested that the court appoint a state counsel to represent the case of the accused.

Additionally, lawyers representing Shireen Mazari and Shakeel Niazi completed their arguments, after which the prosecution presented their case.

The court directed government lawyers to present arguments regarding the acquittal petitions of Sheikh Rashid, Shireen Mazari, Amjad Niazi, and others today. Later, the accused present in court were allowed to leave after marking their attendance.

The court also directed that additional copies of the charge sheet be distributed to the absconding accused and adjourned the next hearing until November 25.

The government lawyers are expected to respond to the acquittal requests during the next hearing.

Before the hearing, the court had summoned Shah Mehmood Qureshi from Lahore, while also issuing a notice to the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, for indictment.