Rawalpindi (Web Desk): An anti-terrorism court on Thursday indicted Pakistan Thehreek-e-Insaf leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and 12 others in connection with the May 9 violence that targeted key military and government facilities.
The charges stem from the chaos that erupted following the arrest of PTI founder and former premier Imran Khan, which led to protests and riots across Pakistan.
Gandapur, who appeared in court, had his arrest warrant revoked, and the court adjourned proceedings until December 21.
Several prominent figures, including PTI leaders and Shibli Faraz and Shehryar Afridi, were also present in court, as charges were framed against them and others involved in the unrest.
The individuals indicted in this case include a mix of political figures and associates of PTI.
In addition to Gandapur, notable names such as Colonel Shabbir Awan, Kanwal Shauzab, and Fahad Masood were also included in the list of accused.
All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges, and some, like Gandapur, have filed legal motions in an attempt to challenge or dismiss the charges against them. These motions are set to be heard in the coming days.
The unrest itself was triggered by Khan's arrest on charges related to corruption, which set off a chain reaction of protests that spiraled into violent clashes with security forces. Protesters stormed government buildings and military installations, with the GHQ in Rawalpindi being one of the primary targets.
In addition to the GHQ, other locations such as Jinnah House in Lahore and the Mianwali airbase were damaged by mobs who looted, vandalized, and set fire to property.
The government responded harshly, arresting thousands of people linked to the violence and filing charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).
Over 5,000 individuals were detained in connection with the May 9 events. The ongoing legal proceedings against Gandapur and his co-accused are part of the broader effort to hold those responsible for the chaos accountable.
After the hearing, Gandapur expressed gratitude to the court for canceling his arrest warrant and later visited the Adiala Jail to meet Imran Khan.
The case is expected to continue generating significant political attention, with many seeing it as a crucial moment for the PTI and its leadership, who remain embroiled in legal battles over the aftermath of the May 9 violence.
