ATC issues PTI leaders' warrants in GHQ case

Rawalpindi's Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Judge Syed Amjad Ali Shah on Friday issued arrest warrants for 34 absconding accused, including PTI leaders Shehryar Afridi, Kanwal Shauzab, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and Umar Tanveer Butt in connection with the GHQ attack case.

The court ordered the police to arrest the accused and present them in court by May 29.

On Friday, PTI founder Imran Khan's lawyer, Advocate Malik Faisal, completed arguments on a constitutional plea seeking a joint trial, while the prosecution will argue on May 29.

Faisal argued that all May 9 cases are of a similar nature, involve identical charges, and pertain to the same day, therefore they should be heard and tried together.

The court during its proceedings at Adiala Jail today (Saturday) will distribute copies of charge sheets in eleven May 9 cases, including the GHQ Gate No 4 attack, attack on a sensitive agency's building in Saddar, Army Museum attack, and Metro Bus station arson.

The court directed all investigating officers to appear with full documentation.

Separately, the court confirmed interim bails of journalist Sami Ibrahim in the October 4 and 5 protest cases, subject to surety bonds of Rs50,000 each.

However, interim bails for PTI members Sardar Ali Khan and Javed Kausar in the November 26 D-Chowk protest case were rejected. Both avoided arrest by remaining absent.

In view of the jail proceedings, tight security has been deployed at Adiala Jail today.