RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN: The Punjab government has directed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan will now stand trial through video link from Adiala Jail in nearly a dozen cases related to the May 9 2023 unrest. The decision, aimed at tightening security and ensuring smooth proceedings, places all cases under the jurisdiction of the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) Rawalpindi.
According to the official notification issued by the Punjab Home Department, eleven FIRs registered across various police stations — including R.A. Bazar, Civil Lines, Waris Khan, and New Town — have been consolidated and transferred to the ATC for trial. The order was issued under Sections 15(2) and 21(2)(b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, authorizing the court to conduct proceedings via video link directly from the prison facility.
Imran Khan, detained at Adiala Jail since August 2023, faces multiple charges stemming from violent protests that erupted following his arrest, during which military installations and government buildings were attacked. The provincial government has justified the virtual trial on security grounds, citing risks of public disorder and the need for efficient legal processing.
Legal analysts, however, have raised concerns about transparency and fair-trial standards, arguing that a video-link format could limit direct access between the accused, his counsel, and the court. Nonetheless, officials insist the measure will ensure “swift justice without compromising due process.”
The new order replaces earlier directives from June 2023, October 2023, and November 2024, reflecting the government’s renewed push to move forward with pending cases amid ongoing political and legal tensions.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.