The Punjab government has restored the jail trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the May 9 General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, issuing a formal notification to resume proceedings inside Adiala Jail, sources told on Monday.
According to sources, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi had earlier cancelled the trial, but following the provincial government’s latest decision, the case hearing is now expected to take place inside Adiala Jail tomorrow.
Superintendent Adiala Jail has written to the police requesting additional security arrangements to ensure a foolproof security setup during the proceedings.
The Punjab government had previously, on September 15, issued a notification transferring the trial venue. PTI founder Imran Khan had been produced before the ATC Rawalpindi via video link in earlier hearings.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah confirmed that the video trial notification has been cancelled, and the hearing will now be conducted in person at Adiala Jail.
He added that the prosecution team will present three witnesses in tomorrow’s hearing, including Inspector Yaqoob Shah, DSP Mirza Javed, and Inspector Nazim Hussain Shah.
Separately, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi until October 31 in the Jinnah House and Askari Tower arson cases.
During the hearing, Qureshi’s jail warrant documents were presented before the court. The proceedings were presided over by ATC Duty Judge Arshad Javed.
The court directed defence counsel to present their arguments on the interim bail petitions at the next hearing.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi had filed interim bail pleas prior to his arrest, which were later dismissed following his detention. However, the Lahore High Court restored his bail through its subsequent order.
Separately, ATC extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and Jamshed Iqbal Cheema until November 7 in multiple cases related to the May 9 violence, including the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attacks.
Both leaders appeared before Duty Judge Arshad Javed, who presided over the hearing. The court directed that the defence counsel to present their arguments on the next hearing regarding the confirmation of the bails.
The court had directed to complete investigation against Musarrat Cheema while the probe into Jamshed Cheema’s role has been completed. Musarrat Jamshed Cheema has obtained interim bail in eight cases, while Jamshed Iqbal Cheema is on interim bail in four cases. The cases include Askari Tower, Jinnah House, and vandalism outside Rahat Bakery.
Meanwhile, ATC extended the interim bail of former federal ministers Asad Umar and Azam Khan Swati in multiple cases related to the May 9 riots till October 31.
The court extended Asad Umar’s bail till October 31 in three cases, including the Jinnah House attack, Askari Tower attack, and Shadman police station arson.
Azam Swati’s bail was also extended till October 31 in five cases, including the Jinnah House and Askari Tower attack.
Asad Umar appeared before the court for attendance whereas Azam Swati’s counsel submitted exemption application from personal appearance for one-day, which the court accepted.
ATC Duty Judge Arshad Javed presided over the proceedings and directed the defence to present arguments on the bail petitions at the next hearing.
Moreover, a special court on Monday granted last opportunity to PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to prove themselves innocent under section 342 in Toshakhana-II case.
The court shared the questionnaire with the accused and sought answers of it on next hearing October 8.
The cross-examination of the last prosecution witness in the Toshakhana-II case against PTI founder and Bushra Bibi was completed during the hearing.
Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand heard the case at Central Jail Adiala Rawalpindi wherein accused PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were produced before the court.