Proceedings in the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) were postponed once again on Tuesday. The Anti-Terrorism Court in Rawalpindi adjourned the hearing for the 11th time. The next hearing has been fixed for January 20.
The case could not move forward due to the continued failure of the video link system. The facility remains inactive at both Adiala Jail and the anti-terrorism court. This is despite clear orders issued by the Punjab Home Department on October 30 to conduct hearings through video conferencing or WhatsApp calls.
During each hearing, the court has directed the superintendent of Adiala Jail and the district administration to install and activate the video link system. More than two months have passed, but no progress has been made.
PTI founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, appeared before the court. He requested permission to meet his client, who is currently lodged in Adiala Jail. Malik told the court that legal instructions were necessary to proceed with the pending cases.
The special prosecutor, Zaheer Shah, informed the court that Imran Khan is on bail in the GHQ attack case. He said Khan is not in the custody of the anti-terrorism court. The prosecutor added that Khan is a convicted prisoner in another case and that jail authorities control access and visitation.
He referred to the Toshakhana-II case. In that case, a special court sentenced Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison on December 20. The case involves allegations of unlawfully retaining a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince during an official visit.
The prosecutor said the jail superintendent has the authority to regulate meetings with convicted prisoners.
In response, the defence lawyer stated that the legal team would not take part in judicial proceedings until access to their client is granted. He said denying a lawyer access to their client violates legal principles.
The court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 40 to 45 accused who failed to appear. Copies of the Home Department’s notification regarding video-link trials were provided to defence lawyers.
Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over the hearing. The court adjourned the matter until January 20.
Speaking to the media after the hearing, Faisal Malik said Imran Khan should be produced in court for the May 9 cases. He said Khan is on bail in those cases despite being imprisoned in another matter.
He argued that convicted individuals are usually produced before courts in pending cases. Malik said courts have previously issued rulings on visitation rights.
He described the repeated denial of access as unacceptable. He warned that preventing lawyer-client meetings could amount to contempt of court.
