ATC reserves verdict in GOR Gate attack case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday reserved its verdict in the case pertaining to the May 9 attack on the GOR-1 gate at Club Chowk, announcing that the decision will be pronounced on Friday at 2pm in an open court.

ATC Judge Manzar Ali Gill reserved the judgment after the accused recorded their final statements in defence and their counsel concluded final arguments. The proceedings were conducted inside Kot Lakhpat Jail under tight security arrangements.

According to the prosecution, a challan was submitted against 25 accused in the case, while four other suspects were declared proclaimed offenders during the course of the trial. A total of 56 prosecution witnesses recorded their statements before the court to substantiate the charges.

The case was registered by the Race Course Police Station following the violent incidents of May 9, during which the GOR-1 gate came under attack. As per the first information report (FIR), the accused allegedly damaged security cameras, smashed police wireless equipment, broke glass panels at the GOR gate, caused damage to government property and assaulted police personnel on duty.

The prosecution further alleged that the attack was carried out by a mob allegedly led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Hammad Azhar.