Rawalpindi ATC dismisses petition against Imran’s presence through video tie

Rawalpindi—(Special Correspondent / Web Desk)—An anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi turned down a request from Imran Khan’s political party, the PTI. The party did not want its leader to attend his trial for the GHQ attack case over a video call. They wanted him to be there in person.

The case is about violent protests that broke out after Imran Khan was arrested in May 2023. During these protests, important government and military buildings, including the army’s main headquarters (GHQ), were damaged.

Imran Khan’s lawyer argued to the judge that a video link was not a good way to hold a fair trial. The lawyer insisted that his client must be physically present in the courtroom.

However, the government’s lawyer disagreed. He stated that the trial was moved from the jail to the court on the orders of the Punjab government. He also pointed out that the law was changed in 2016 to allow video link trials.

The prosecutor added that the court has the power to decide how a trial should be run. He said the defense was just trying to slow down the legal process and waste time.

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In response, Imran Khan’s lawyer said that a fair trial is only possible if the accused person is in the room. He also said they would challenge the government’s order in a higher court.

The judge then asked the defense lawyer if he had more to say. The lawyer asked for a short break to talk with his team. The court took a thirty-minute pause before continuing.

A day before the hearing, local police said they would increase security around the courthouse for the trial. Imran Khan was formally charged in this case in December 2023 and remains in jail.