An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Friday dismissed a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan against his appearance via video link in the GHQ attack case.

Following the decision, Khan and his legal team announced a boycott of the proceedings, while PTI lawyers staged a walkout from the courtroom.

Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023, triggering violent protests nationwide in which government buildings and military installations, including the GHQ, were torched and attacked.

During Friday’s hearing, Khan was expected to appear via video link. His counsel argued that such an arrangement was unacceptable, insisting on his physical presence in court for a fair trial.

Prosecutor Zaheer Shah countered, stating that the case had been transferred from Adiala Jail to the ATC under an executive order of the Punjab government, which only a constitutional court could review.

Citing the 2016 amendment to the Criminal Procedure Code, the prosecutor maintained that accused individuals can be produced via video link.

Referring to sections 15 and 21 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, he asserted the court had the authority to proceed, while the government was not obligated to provide reasons for transferring the case.

He argued that challenging video link appearances was a delaying tactic, adding that the defense had the right to approach a higher court but could not stall the trial.

Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Malik, stressed that a fair trial was only possible if the accused was physically present, noting that he had received the provincial government’s notification just a day earlier and would challenge it before a higher court.

Rejecting Khan’s request for physical appearance, the ATC ruled that he could be presented in court via video link as per the government’s notification.

Prison authorities then produced Khan through video link.

The court allowed his lawyer to speak but barred any political remarks.

Later, Malik informed the court that Khan had instructed his team to boycott the proceedings, after which the PTI founder also refused to participate, and his lawyers exited the courtroom.

Subsequently, the prosecution recorded the statements of two witnesses — Sub-Inspectors Saleem Qureshi and Manzoor Shehzad — who submitted 13 USB drives containing 40 video clips of Imran Khan, footage of other PTI leaders, and newspaper clippings related to the May 9 riots.

The witnesses said the digital evidence was obtained from CCTV cameras installed on Benazir Bhutto Road, Mall Road, Liaquat Bagh, and adjoining areas.

The court summoned 10 more witnesses for the next hearing on September 23, including officials from PEMRA, FIA, PTI, the Press Information Department, Internal Security, and the Ministry of Interior.

It is worth recalling that Khan was formally indicted in this case on December 5, 2023.

He has been incarcerated at Adiala Jail since August 2023 and was rearrested by Rawalpindi police in January this year in connection with the May 9 protest cases.