Former PTI MNA Bilal Ahmed faces legal charges in GHQ attack case

A Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has formally charged former Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Bilal Ahmed in the GHQ attack case. According to the reports, ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah framed the charges against Bilal Ahmed through his legal representative.

The Rawalpindi court gave two other accused a deadline of 3 p.m. today to appear before it. The court adjourned the hearing of the case until Janu 6.  Former PTI MPA Latasub Satti requested permission to travel for Umrah, but the court rejected the application, citing incomplete documentation.

On December 20, the ATC rejected pleas filed by PTI founder Imran Khan and 10 other party leaders challenging their indictment in the GHQ attack case.  The court determined that the prosecution’s evidence was sufficient to proceed with the trial and confirmed that the accused had already been indicted.

The court clarified that requests under Section 265-D are no longer valid after the indictment. It also dismissed pleas from other PTI leaders, including Ali Amin Gandapur, Kunwal Shauzab, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shibli Faraz.

Prosecutor Rana Rafaqat Zahoor Shah represented the prosecution, while Imran Khan’s legal team comprised Muhammad Faisal Malik and Faisal Farid Chaudhry.

Authorities arrested the PTI chairman on May 9, 2023, at the Islamabad High Court, where he was attending a hearing in a corruption case. Khan, who served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, faced accusations of receiving illegal gifts and assets from foreign countries.

Imran Khan’s arrest triggered widespread protests and riots nationwide, with his supporters and party workers flooding the streets to demand his release.

PTI protesters attacked and vandalized several civil and milit installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore, the Mianwali airbase, and others. They also set vehicles on fire, blocked roads, and clashed with police and security forces.

Authorities arrested more than 5,000 people and charged them under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and other laws for participating in the riots. The government accused Imran Khan of orchestrating the attacks and claimed to have evidence of his involvement.