The Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi rejected a petition to halt the video link trial in the May 09, GHQ attack case, stating that judicial proceedings cannot be stopped until the Punjab government’s trial transfer notification is suspended.
The court referenced a 2023 amendment to the Law of Witnesses (Qanoon-e-Shahadat) which clarifies the provisions for video link trials, the government notifications and the High Court orders in this regard. The court dismissed the petition, having already ruled on two similar requests, and criticized the defence for not reviewing prior decisions.
During the hearing, defense lawyer Faisal Malik argued that the accused, the former chairman, could neither see nor hear witnesses in recent hearings. He said that the accused, after a jail meeting, claimed confusion about court proceedings and requested a trial stop pending the High Court’s decision on the application regarding transfer notification.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah argued that video link appearances in court proceedings are permitted under five laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The court recorded statements from three prosecution witnesses including Inspectors Ismat Kamal, Tahzeeb-ul-Hassan, and Akbar Abbas. The trial was adjourned to September 30, with three more witnesses summoned.
With recent statements, a total of 44 witness statements have been recorded. Notices were issued on a defence petition to recall eight witnesses.
Separately, the Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi has cancelled the interim bail of PTI leader Naeem Panjotha, in two cases registered over the October 5, 2024 protests. Naeem Panjotha’s bail was cancelled due to non-prosecution of the case.
According to the details, two cases have been registered against Naeem Panjotha at Saddar Hassan Abdal police station regarding the PTI’s violent protests, in which he is accused of arson, vandalism, interference in state affairs and other charges. Naeem Panjotha had been on interim bail in these cases since March this year. During the hearing on Saturday, the court cancelled the interim bail due to his repeated non-appearance.