Former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan appeared in court via WhatsApp in the May 9 GHQ attack case. However, due to poor audio and video quality, his defense lawyers walked out of the hearing. The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi was hearing two petitions related to the case. Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over the proceedings.
Imran Khan’s lawyers, Faisal Malik and Salman Akram Raja, requested permission to speak with him during the hearing. The court allowed it, but the connection was unclear. His voice kept dropping, and his image was not visible. As a result, the lawyers protested and exited the courtroom, boycotting the hearing once again.
Read more: Imran Khan boycotts GHQ attack case proceedings via video link
This is not the first time the defense has protested over remote appearances. On September 19, the court had dismissed a petition against Imran Khan’s video-link appearance. His lawyers had walked out then as well. They maintain that a fair trial is not possible unless Khan appears in person. The court ruled that he can appear based on Punjab government’s notification.
The case relates to the violent protests that followed Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, in the Al-Qadir Trust case. PTI supporters held countrywide demonstrations. During the unrest, government and military buildings were attacked. At least 8 people were killed, and over 290 were injured. GHQ’s gate in Rawalpindi and Jinnah House in Lahore were also targeted.
Read more: ATC bins plea for Imran’s in-person appearance in GHQ attack case
Following the violence, law enforcement agencies arrested around 1,900 people nationwide. Dozens of cases were filed against Imran Khan and PTI workers. The government accused them of organizing attacks on military and state properties. Legal proceedings are still ongoing in various cities, including Rawalpindi.