Imran Khan Appears via WhatsApp in GHQ Attack Case; ATC Dismisses Two Petitions

RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Rawalpindi on Monday dismissed two petitions filed by PTI founder **Imran Khan** during the hearing of the **May 9 GHQ attack case**.

Imran Khan was presented before the court through a **WhatsApp link**, where his defense lawyers were also allowed to communicate with him. However, the defense complained of **poor audio quality and unclear visuals**, and subsequently boycotted the proceedings.

During the hearing, Khan’s legal counsels, **Faisal Malik** and **Salman Akram Raja**, appeared, while **Special Prosecutors Zaheer Shah** and **Ikram Amin** represented the prosecution. The defense requested the court to provide **CCTV footage of the September 19 proceedings** and demanded that the trial be halted until the Islamabad High Court (IHC) issues an order regarding the transfer of the case to jail trial.

The court, however, reminded the defense that Khan had already boycotted the proceedings in the previous hearing, and advised them to **challenge the WhatsApp communication issue in the IHC**.

Prosecutors argued that the defense was not serious about the trial, accusing them of **delaying tactics**. *“One day they boycott proceedings, the next day they demand more time. This shows they are wasting the court’s time,”* the prosecution contended.

Salman Akram Raja countered, saying that courts function under the Constitution, not government directives. He insisted that presenting Khan through a **WhatsApp call** could not be considered a legitimate video link.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the ATC dismissed both petitions filed by Imran Khan, stating that the trial could not be halted unless directed by the IHC.