Imran Khan Indicted in GHQ Attack Case

Imran Khan, the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former Prime Minister, was formally indicted on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in connection with the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) that occurred during nationwide protests on May 9, 2023.

This indictment took place in a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC) presided over by Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who conducted the hearing at a makeshift court set up in Adiala Jail, where Khan is currently incarcerated.

PTI founder Khan was indicted alongside other prominent party figures, including former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, ex-law minister in Punjab Raja Basharat, and PTI leader Zartaj Gul Wazir.

As reported, Basharat was allowed to leave the jail during the proceedings but was subsequently arrested outside.

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan and PTI MNA Ahmad Chatta were also taken into custody.

In a post on X, the PTI issued a statement condemning the arrests, stating that the state’s approach “exposes the reality of an undeclared martial law in Pakistan”.

“Such acts reflect desperation, not strength!” PTI added in its statement.

Background of the Case

The violent protests that led to the indictment were triggered by Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court on May 9, which incited riots across Pakistan lasting over 24 hours.

These disturbances resulted in at least 10 fatalities and hundreds of injuries, alongside significant damage to approximately 40 public buildings and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House and the ISI Office in Faisalabad.

The total estimated damage has been reported at around Rs2.5 billion.

Indictment Details

In total, 100 individuals, including prominent PTI leaders such as Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and Raja Basharat, were indicted alongside Khan for their alleged roles in the GHQ attack.

The court’s proceedings have seen multiple delays before this hearing, with charges being formally framed against these individuals after previous postponements.

The court has adjourned further hearings until December 10.

Legal Proceedings

The indictment includes serious allegations against Khan and his co-defendants, suggesting that they led attacks on military facilities and instigated violence against state institutions. The prosecution claims that the protests were not spontaneous but rather a coordinated effort by PTI leadership to undermine military authority.

Following the indictment, several senior PTI figures were arrested outside the jail premises, indicating ongoing legal repercussions for those involved in the protests.

This case forms part of a broader crackdown on PTI leaders following the May protests, reflecting escalating tensions between political factions in Pakistan and the military establishment.