ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Saturday indicted three more individuals in the case related to the violent protests outside the General Headquarters (GHQ) on May 9, 2023.

The suspects include Zain Qureshi, Raja Nasir Mahfouz and Raja Shahbaz Tiger, bringing the total number of indicted individuals in the case to 116.

In a separate development, Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, has been granted interim bail by the ATC of Rawalpindi in 32 cases linked to PTI protests. The court adjourned further hearings in the matter until Jan 13.

Mr Qureshi was not present at the proceedings and was indicted through his legal representative, Ali Bukhari. The court also reserved its decision on a petition filed by Mr Khan and Fawad Chaudhry, seeking access to CCTV footage from the hearing held on Dec 5. A verdict on the matter will be announced during the next session.

Bushra secures bail in 32 cases linked to PTI protests

Separately, the prosecution has requested the court to block the national identity cards of four accused individuals — Bilal, Ijaz, Asim and Shaheer Sikandar — pending further investigation. The hearing has been adjourned to Dec 24, when pending requests will be addressed and trial proceedings will continue.

Toshakhana case witnesses testify

Meanwhile, in the Toshakhana case involving a Bulgari jewellery set, the Special Court of the FIA convened on Saturday at Adiala Jail. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand presided over the proceedings.

The court recorded statements from two prosecution witnesses: Meesam, an officer from the Cabinet Division, and Malik Sajid, a joint director at the State Bank of Pakistan.

Meesam submitted an official notification of Imran Khan’s tenure as PM, while Mr Sajid presented official exchange rates for the dollar and euro from 2018 to 2021. The court then adjourned proceedings until Dec 26.

Speaking to the media, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the National Assembly speaker had assured the formation of a committee on negotiations. “The committee is expected to be formed by tomorrow, and negotiations will begin,” he said.

However, Mr Gohar noted that PTI would simultaneously continue its civil disobedience movement.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2024