Rawalpindi (Web Desk): Former federal minister Shireen Mazari and eight others were indicted in connection with the May 9 attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ).
The Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) held a session at Adiala Jail, where the defendants, who included several prominent Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Among the accused were Rashid Hafiz, Khadim Hussain Khokhar, Zakirullah, Azeemullah, Tahir Sadiq, Mehar Javed, Chaudhry Asif, and Munir.
The PTI founder was also presented in court, while former PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, was brought to the jail from Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail.
Qureshi filed a request to halt his indictment, citing a lack of sufficient evidence, which the court agreed to consider on December 19, postponing further proceedings.
The prosecution, in the meantime, sought the cancellation of bail for those who had failed to attend previous hearings.
They argued that the defendants were deliberately stalling the trial. The case centers around the events of May 9, when protests erupted following the arrest of former premier Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
During these protests, demonstrators targeted military and government sites, including Jinnah House and the GHQ in Rawalpindi.
The military has called the day "Black Day" and has pursued legal action under the Army Act against those involved.
Imran Khan and other senior PTI leaders are accused of inciting violence and orchestrating the attacks on these strategic installations.
