Islamabad( Khyber Point)The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday dismissed two key petitions filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the May 9 GHQ attack case, prompting his lawyers to boycott the proceedings once again.
ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah heard the case, where Khan’s counsels, Faisal Malik and Salman Akram Raja, sought a transcript of the September 19 video-link trial and CCTV footage of the hearing. They also requested permission for another in-person meeting with their client and urged that proceedings be halted until the Islamabad High Court’s ruling on transferring the trial to jail.
The court rejected both applications, noting that the defense counsel’s “pattern” with Khan had already been set, and stressed that video-link trials could not be halted. Judge Shah remarked that defense lawyers had been given the chance to consult with Khan earlier, but they boycotted proceedings instead.
Defense lawyer Faisal Malik argued that communication with Khan via WhatsApp could not be considered a proper video-link, reiterating that they had already challenged this matter in the High Court. He insisted that until meaningful consultation was allowed, the defense would not participate in trial proceedings.
Special Prosecutor Ikram Amin Minhas countered that the defense had repeatedly wasted the court’s time by staging walkouts. He emphasized that the prosecution’s witnesses needed to be recorded and the trial could not be delayed indefinitely. “There is no legal provision to stop the trial,” Minhas argued, adding that questioning the court’s prior orders verged on contempt.
The ATC ruling adds to mounting legal challenges for the PTI founder, who continues to face multiple cases stemming from the May 9 unrest. The case remains highly contentious, with repeated disruptions over communication and procedural disputes.
