GHQ Attack Verdict: Rawalpindi Court Sentences 47 PTI Leaders to 10 Years
A Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court announced the GHQ attack verdict, sentencing 47 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders and activists to 10 years in prison. The court also imposed a fine of Rs5.5 million on each convict. As a result, the ruling marks a major development in the May 9 violence cases.
Judge Amjad Ali Shah delivered the decision after reviewing evidence and witness statements. Prosecutors argued that the accused helped organise violent protests. According to the court, these protests targeted sensitive military sites in Rawalpindi.
PTI Leaders Among Those Convicted
Several senior PTI leaders appear on the list of those convicted. These include Omar Ayub Khan, Zartaj Gul, Murad Saeed, Shibli Faraz, Hammad Azhar, and Kanwal Shauzab. In addition, the court convicted Shahbaz Gill, Rashid Shafiq, Zulfi Bukhari, and Muhammad Ahmed Chatha.
Other individuals sentenced include Rai Hassan Nawaz, Rai Muhammad Murtaza, Shaukat Ali Bhatti, Usman Saeed Basra, and Ijaz Khan Jazi. The court also ordered authorities to seize their properties. Therefore, the ruling carries both legal and financial consequences.
Investigators told the court that the accused attacked key military-related locations. For example, protesters targeted the GHQ Gate, Hamza Camp, and the Army Museum. Authorities also reported damage to public property during the unrest.
Details of the Trial
The case initially named 118 accused individuals. Among them were PTI founder Imran Khan and senior party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi. The court formally indicted them in December 2024.During the proceedings, prosecutors presented statements from 44 witnesses. However, several accused did not attend the hearings. In fact, 18 remained absent during the trial, while 29 never appeared after the case began.
Later, the court conducted a separate trial for 47 individuals declared absconders under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Prosecutors requested action against them on January 6. Consequently, the court began a formal inquiry.Authorities published notices on January 8 and allowed seven days for the accused to appear. However, none responded to the notice. As a result, the court appointed state lawyers to represent them.
During this phase, prosecutors presented statements from 19 witnesses. The state-appointed lawyers cross-examined them before the court concluded the proceedings and delivered the verdict.
