An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday rejected an acquittal plea by PTI founder Imran Khan in a case over the attack on the army general headquarters during violent protests on May 9, 2023.
The May 9 protests turned violent as supporters set fire to and vandalized state buildings and military installations, sparked by the arrest of PTI’s founder in a corruption case. After the event, the government launched a crackdown on PTI leaders and supporters, after which several arrests were made. However, many of the leaders were granted bail.
Imran was charged in the case on December 5 last year. The PTI founder, who has been imprisoned in Adial jail since August 2023, was arrested by the Rawalpindi police in the May 9 protest case in January 2024. However, he filed an application seeking absolution.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over a hearing for the case today. The prosecution argued that the trial was still ongoing and that the testimony of 12 witnesses had already been recorded, adding that it was not appropriate to hear the acquittal plea at this stage and that the prosecution should be able to record witness testimony.
Imran’s appeal was later dismissed by the judge and the hearing adjourned.
