An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi on Monday dismissed acquittal pleas filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and two co-accused in the May 9 General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, Express News reported.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah rejected the pleas submitted by Imran Khan, retired Colonel Ajmal Sabir, and Suhail Irfan Abbasi, ruling in favour of the prosecution’s arguments.
During the hearing, prosecutor Zaheer Shah argued that the trial was ongoing, with statements from 12 eyewitnesses already recorded. “At this stage, hearing an acquittal plea is inappropriate. The court should allow the prosecution to present its evidence,” he added.
He further cited precedent, pointing out that Sheikh Rashid’s acquittal plea in a similar case had been rejected by the trial court, a decision later upheld by the high court. The court, agreeing with the prosecution’s arguments, dismissed the acquittal requests of the three accused.
The GHQ attack case relates to violent incidents on May 9, 2023, when protesters stormed and vandalised military installations following Imran Khan’s arrest, triggering widespread unrest across Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday reiterated its demand for the government to form a parliamentary committee to appoint a new chief election commissioner (CEC), a day after Sikander Sultan Raja’s term ended.
PTI leader and opposition figure Omar Ayub wrote to National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, urging him to establish the committee to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements.
“Sikander Sultan Raja’s term ended yesterday. He has no moral authority to continue. He and the two retired commissioners should step down immediately,” Ayub said on social media platform X.
Raja’s tenure was marked by controversy, including last year’s general election, which saw allegations of manipulated results, Internet blackouts, and delays. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) denied PTI’s claims, while the caretaker government attributed the disruptions to maintaining law and order.
Tensions between Imran Khan’s party and Raja peaked in August 2022, when the ECP ruled that PTI had received prohibited foreign funds, a charge the party denies. Later that year, the commission disqualified Khan from public office over undeclared assets, a verdict PTI rejected as politically motivated.
Imran Khan, jailed since August 2023 on multiple charges, was removed from office in April 2022 via a parliamentary vote. Once aligned with Pakistan’s powerful military, Khan has since accused it of supporting his political rivals, allegations the military denies.
