Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and former foreign minister, has been transferred to Adiala Jail, where he is set to be formally indicted in connection with the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ).
The case is part of a comprehensive investigation into the violent protests that erupted after the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan earlier this year.
Court Proceedings and Hearings
On Sunday, the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) heard 13 out of 14 cases linked to the May 9 incident. Judge Amjad Ali Shah presided over the proceedings at Adiala Jail, where the attendance of the accused was recorded. The court adjourned these hearings until January 6, while one remaining case related to the GHQ attack is scheduled for later today.
Additionally, the court issued a plea to cancel the bail of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur due to his repeated absences. Several other key political figures, including former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad and ex-Law Minister of Punjab Raja Basharat, attended the hearings.
Qureshi’s legal team is gearing up for his formal indictment, expected to take place today. Hearings related to other charges from the May 9 protests, including vandalism and violence, have been postponed to January 2024.
Arrest Warrants for PTI Leaders
Last week, an ATC in Rawalpindi issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 25 PTI leaders absent from the ongoing hearings. The accused include prominent figures like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former ministers Shibli Faraz, Kanwal Shauzab, Rashid Hafeez, Colonel Shabbir, Umar Tanveer Butt, and Shehryar Afridi.
The warrants were issued due to their failure to appear in court, further intensifying the legal challenges facing PTI leadership.
Bushra Bibi’s Arrest Warrants Cancelled
In a separate development, an accountability court and a special court cancelled the arrest warrants for Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI chairman Imran Khan, following her appearance in the £190 million reference and Toshakhana 2 cases.
During her appearance last week, Bushra Bibi submitted her replies to 79 court queries before Accountability Judge Nasir Javed Rana. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand deferred her indictment in the Toshakhana 2 case until December 12.
Both Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan submitted statements under Section-342 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). While Imran Khan announced his intention to present witnesses in his defense, Bushra Bibi opted not to call any witnesses.
Judge Rana cancelled her arrest warrants after her court appearance, marking a temporary reprieve amidst ongoing legal battles.
Ongoing Investigations
The GHQ attack case remains a focal point, with widespread implications for PTI leadership. As investigations continue, the political landscape faces further uncertainty, with January 2024 poised to be a critical month for the party and its leaders.
