Lahore’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has delivered a significant ruling, rejecting bail for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Jinnah House attack case. The court’s seven-page written judgment, issued by Judge Manzar Ali Gul, affirms that Khan’s actions and statements as a political leader played a pivotal role in influencing his party members and supporters, with little resistance to his directives.
Court’s Ruling and Imran Khan’s Influence
The ATC’s decision emphasized the significant impact of Khan’s statements on his party and its followers. The judge noted that, as a leader, Khan’s influence over PTI members was so profound that it left little room for opposition to his instructions. Based on this, the court found Imran Khan guilty of orchestrating the attack.
The judgment also detailed the events of May 9, 2023, when violent protests broke out nationwide following Khan’s arrest by paramilitary forces on orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with a corruption case. Protesters attacked military installations, government offices, and law enforcement agencies, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, also known as Jinnah House.
Details of the Attack and Evidence
The prosecution presented evidence that the attack on Jinnah House was part of a broader conspiracy, allegedly coordinated at Khan’s Zaman Park residence. During the attack, valuable items were destroyed in the fire at Jinnah House, and law enforcement authorities seized petrol bombs and batons from the 50 individuals arrested in connection with the violence. Many others involved in the attack were able to flee the scene.
The court found no justifiable reason to grant bail to Imran Khan, rejecting his plea in the Jinnah House case and reaffirming its earlier decision to deny bail in seven other cases on November 27, 2024.
May 9, 2023: A Day of Nationwide Chaos
The events of May 9 were marked by widespread violence. PTI workers and supporters, outraged by Khan’s arrest, carried out large-scale attacks on both public and private properties, vandalized military installations, and desecrated martyrs’ monuments. In the aftermath, both civil and military leadership vowed to pursue exemplary punishment for all those involved in the mayhem, under relevant laws including the Army Act.
