LHC’s detailed verdict in GHQ Attack case highlights lack of evidence

The Lahore High Court Pindi Bench has issued a detailed decision on the bail of ten accused individuals involved in the GHQ attack case, reported 24NewsHd TV channel Monday.

The decision, released on July 27, was handed down by a division bench comprising Justice Anwar Haq Pannu and Justice Safdar Saleem Shahid.

Among the accused granted bail were prominent figures, including Shehryar Afridi, Ismatullah Khan, and Nadia Bibi. The court's decision was concise and cited various critical factors in its judgment.

According to the court, the GHQ attack on May 9 did not result in any injuries, and no army officer pressed charges against the accused individuals. Additionally, the CCTV cameras inside and outside the GHQ were not seized, potentially impacting the availability of critical evidence.

The court noted that during the identification parade, no army personnel were present, and there were no witnesses named in the case. Furthermore, it highlighted that no women were implicated in the GHQ case, thereby underscoring the lack of evidence against female suspects.

Interestingly, the court observed that the police officers present at the scene failed to prevent the protesters from entering the GHQ, which could have implications for the liability of the accused.

Addressing the applicability of the Anti-Terrorism Act, the court ruled that Section 7 of the Act was not relevant in this case. This could have significant implications on the charges and legal proceedings against the accused individuals.

Based on its assessment of the case, the court concluded that there was no need for further investigation. Consequently, it found no justification for keeping the accused in jail, leading to their release on bail.

Throughout the proceedings, Advocate Sardar Abdul Razaq Khan, Zulfiqar Abbasi, Zafar Iqbal Waraich, and other lawyers skillfully presented the case for the accused.