Key Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, have been formally indicted for their alleged involvement in the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) during the May 9 protests. This significant development marks a critical juncture in the ongoing legal proceedings tied to the violent events.
Prominent Leaders Face Charges
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Thursday charged 15 individuals, including PTI figures Kanwal Shozab, Shehryar Afridi, and Shibli Faraz. This brings the total number of those indicted in the case to 113. The court also summoned six additional suspects to appear on December 21.
Following the indictment, Qureshi, Gandapur, and Shozab submitted pleas seeking acquittal, which the court will review in the upcoming hearing. PTI founder Imran Khan, along with other senior leaders like Sheikh Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry, and Faraz, attended the court proceedings.
Background of the Case
The charges stem from violent protests on May 9, triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Protesters allegedly targeted key military and government installations, including Jinnah House in Lahore and the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
Recent Indictments and Progress
Earlier this week, the court indicted nine other suspects, including PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Rashid Hafiz, and others, for their roles in the violence. At least 70 PTI leaders have been accused of planning and inciting attacks on military and government properties.
The government, past and present, has consistently held PTI and its leadership responsible for what it describes as “organized attacks” on state institutions. However, Imran Khan has denied the allegations, attributing the violence to “agency men” and external elements.
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Legal Challenges for PTI Leadership
Despite securing relief in some cases, the former prime minister and PTI leaders continue to face multiple legal battles related to May 9.
The court proceedings underline the gravity of the charges and their implications for PTI’s leadership. As the legal process unfolds, the cases will likely have significant political and legal ramifications for the party and its future.
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