May 9 GHQ Attack: Shireen Mazari and PTI Leaders Indicted
Including Shireen Mazari, Nine Indicted in May 9 GHQ Attack Case
In a significant legal development, Shireen Mazari, former federal minister, along with nine other individuals, has been formally indicted in connection with the May 9 GHQ attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) of Pakistan. This case has attracted widespread attention due to the involvement of key political figures from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a major political party in Pakistan.
Court Hearings for May 9 GHQ attack
The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) convened today to hear a series of cases related to the violent events of May 9, which shook the nation. Among those present were several PTI leaders, including Shireen Mazari, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, and former Punjab law minister Raja Basharat, all of whom were named in the case concerning the attack on the GHQ.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah, who presided over the proceedings, conducted the hearings at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, where the accused individuals were presented before the court. Several high-profile defendants attended the case hearing, including Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who was transferred from Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore to Adiala Jail for the proceedings. Despite the proceedings, Qureshi’s indictment was postponed.
Postponement of Indictments and Adjournments
As the case unfolded, the Rawalpindi ATC heard 14 related cases. The court recorded the accused’s attendance in all of these cases and decided to adjourn 13 of them until January 6. In addition to the GHQ attack case, the court also heard other matters concerning the violent protests and acts of vandalism following the May 9 GHQ attack.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi and PTI leaders Fawad Chaudhry, Babar Awan, and Sheikh Rashid met with PTI founding chairman Imran Khan after the hearing. However, despite the heavy media presence, Imran Khan refrained from speaking to the press.
Indictment of Key Political Figures
In a significant turn of events, Shireen Mazari and several others were formally indicted during the court session. Along with Mazari, individuals such as Raja Rashid Khafeez, Khadim Hussain, Zakarullah, and Azimullah Khan were named in the indictment. The court issued notices to all the accused, and the next hearing is scheduled for December 19, where further proceedings will occur.
Prosecutor Zaheer Shah revealed that some accused, including Qureshi, Ajmal Sabir, and Sikandar Bajwa, had refused to sign the charge sheet. They argued that the evidence presented against them was incomplete and had filed a formal request to deny the charges. The court ultimately decided to delay the indictment of these individuals.
Court’s Handling of Protest and Vandalism Cases
In addition to the May 9 GHQ attack case, the Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) also handled cases related to the violent protests and vandalism that followed the attack. These cases involve the alleged participation of PTI leadership in organizing and inciting protests across the country.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who conducted the hearings for these cases, decided to adjourn the cases without further proceedings. The hearings included cases registered at various police stations, such as the I-9 police station in Islamabad, which has now been postponed until January 8. Cases registered at Khanna police station have been adjourned until January 13, and the case at the Bara Kaho police station has been delayed until January 6.
Key Figures and Their Involvement
The indictment of Shireen Mazari and other PTI leaders marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battles stemming from the May 9 violence. These individuals faced serious charges related to the GHQ attack and the subsequent protests that engulfed the nation. The involvement of high-profile political figures such as Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and Fawad Chaudhry has further heightened the stakes in this case.
With proceedings expected to continue well into next year, the political and legal fallout from the May 9 incident remains a topic of intense debate in Pakistan.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal proceedings concerning the May 9 GHQ attack, along with related cases involving PTI leaders and their involvement in protests and vandalism, are set to continue in the coming months. With key political figures such as Shireen Mazari and Shah Mehmood Qureshi under indictment, the outcome of these cases will have far-reaching implications for Pakistan’s political landscape.
Source: The Tribune
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