ISLAMABAD: In a recent announcement, Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, declared that Imran Khan, the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), would face trial in a military court for his alleged involvement in the violent incidents that occurred on May 9.
The decision comes following Imran Khan’s arrest from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and the subsequent unrest that ensued. According to a report by a private media outlet, the security czar conveyed this statement during an interview conducted with a private TV channel on Tuesday.
During the interview, the Interior Minister stated that Imran Khan had devised a program to target military installations and had ensured its execution. Based on this understanding, the minister believed that the case warranted a military court trial.
Rana Sanaullah further claimed that Imran Khan, who was ousted from the prime minister’s position through a no-confidence motion in April the previous year, was the “mastermind” behind the attacks. He asserted that the planning had taken place before Imran Khan’s arrest and that the government possessed “evidence” of his involvement. The minister dismissed the argument that Imran Khan’s imprisonment should exempt him from responsibility.
The arrest of Imran Khan on May 9 triggered intense anger among PTI workers and supporters, leading to the pillaging of government and military installations.
To restore order and address the escalating violence, the government deployed the army and announced that the protesters would face trial under army laws. Consequently, a significant number of PTI workers and leaders have been apprehended as part of a nationwide crackdown.
In recent developments, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Faisalabad approved the transfer of four accused individuals involved in the attack on defense installations during the May 9 riots to the military court.
Additionally, the ATC in Rawalpindi granted approval for the transfer of eight accused individuals implicated in the assault on the General Headquarters (GHQ) during the same incidents to military courts.
The transfer of these cases was sanctioned by ATC Judge Hamid Hussain in response to a petition filed by Deputy Prosecutor General Malik Rafqat Ali, requesting the transfer of the suspects to military courts.
Similarly, last week, a group of 16 suspects, which included a former PTI Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA), were handed over to a commanding officer for their involvement in the ransacking and vandalizing of Jinnah House in Lahore.
(Islamabad51-Newsdesk)
