Qureshi, Gandapur, other PTI leaders indicted in May 9 GHQ attack case

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday indicted 14 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Ali Amin Gandapur, and Shibli Faraz, in connection with the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case related to the violent May 9 protests last year.

Other party leaders indicted in the case include Kanwal Shauzab, Shehryar Afridi, and several others. With this development, a total of 113 suspects have been indicted so far. The court has summoned six additional accused for a hearing scheduled on December 21.

Following their indictment, Qureshi, Shauzab, and Gandapur filed petitions seeking acquittal in the case. The anti-terrorism court will hear their pleas tomorrow.

During Thursday’s proceedings, prominent PTI figures, including Imran Khan, Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid, Fawad Chaudhry, Shibli Faraz, Shehryar Afridi, and Gandapur, were present in the courtroom. The hearing has been adjourned until December 21.

Earlier this week, the court had indicted nine other individuals, including former PTI leader Shireen Mazari and other accused, for their alleged involvement in the attack on military installations.

The May 9 protests erupted following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Protesters targeted military and government facilities, including Jinnah House in Lahore and GHQ in Rawalpindi. The military has since termed May 9 as "Black Day," vowing to prosecute offenders under the Army Act.

At least 70 PTI leaders were accused of orchestrating the attacks and inciting supporters to violence. While Khan denies these allegations, blaming “agency men” for the violence, he continues to face multiple cases related to the events, which are being tried in different anti-terrorism courts.

The current government and its predecessor have repeatedly blamed PTI's leadership for organizing the attacks. Khan, although granted relief in certain cases, remains embroiled in legal battles concerning theM ay 9 incidents.