Punjab govt restores jail trial of Imran in GHQ attack case

LAHORE: The Punjab government has reinstated the jail trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan in the General Headquarters (GHQ) attack case, allowing proceedings to resume inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail under tight security.

According to a notification issued on Monday, the trial will once again be conducted within the jail premises, reversing the earlier decision of Sept 15 that had shifted the venue out of the prison. Authorities have indicated that the hearing could resume as early as Tuesday.

The Adiala Jail superintendent has requested additional deployment from the Rawalpindi police to ensure maximum security during the proceedings. The renewed arrangements come amid heightened security concerns surrounding Khan’s multiple ongoing cases linked to the May 9 riots, which erupted nationwide following his arrest last year.

The GHQ attack case, considered one of the most sensitive and high-profile cases arising from the May 9 incidents, involves allegations that PTI workers and supporters targeted key military installations after Khan’s detention. The government maintains that the decision to hold the trial inside the jail is based on both security considerations and operational convenience, given the nature of the charges.

Earlier, Khan had been appearing before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi through a video link after the venue had been moved out of the jail. Monday’s notification, however, cancelled that arrangement, signaling a return to in-camera hearings.

Officials say the government aims to prevent any possible unrest or public confrontation by maintaining a controlled environment within the prison. The move also reflects a broader administrative effort to ensure the smooth handling of politically charged legal proceedings.