Pakistan

No decision yet about Imran Khan’s military trial, govt’s counsel tells IHC

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Kashif Zia

2 years ago

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed on Tuesday that no decision has been taken yet about Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s military trial.

Following the clarification from Additional Attorney General (AAG) Munawar Iqbal Duggal, IHC disposed of a petition regarding former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s possible military trial in May 9 cases.

During the last hearing on September 16, IHC ordered the Ministry of Defence to give a clear stand about the possible military court trial of Imran Khan on the next hearing on September 24 (today), upon which the ministry had sought time.

During the hearing presided over by Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb, the additional attorney general told the court that if any such decision was taken then legal procedure would be followed.

“If the government decided to pursue the military trial, it would first file an application in the court of a civil magistrate and will be done in accordance with Rule 549,” he informed.

Following the government’s response, the Islamabad High Court closed the petition regarding the PTI leader’s military trial.

The PTI founder had petitioned against the military trials in the May 9 case that witnessed military installations being vandalised following his arrest in a graft case in 2023.

Khan’s petition had come in the wake of statements by several federal ministers including Khawaja Asif and Azam Nazeer Tarar that hinted at Khan’s military trial, over his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, where military installations were being vandalized.

DG ISPR, during a press conference, also hinted at the possibility of former premier Imran Khan facing a trial under the Army Act in a case about former ISI chief Lt General (retd) Faiz Hameed.

Kashif Zia