Islamabad: Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif said former PM Imran Khan may be tried in a military court for his alleged involvement in the May 9 incidents in which military and state installations were attacked by his party workers.
Express Tribune newspaper quoted Asif as saying that it was a possibility if evidence of his involvement surfaced in the coming days. He also confirmed that no case had been registered against the PTI chief so far in connection with the May 9 attacks. His remarks came days after interior minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khan will be tried in a military court as the former PM was the “architect” of the May 9 incidents.
Khan, meanwhile, accused the military and its intelligence agency of openly trying to destroy his party saying he has “no doubt” he will be tried in a military court and thrown in jail. Khan has hinted previously at the military’s hand in a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, but his comments in an interview at his Lahore home were the most blunt yet.
Nine more PTI members detained
Nine more PTI members who allegedly participated in the May 9 attacks on military sites were detained and given to the army for prosecution under the Pakistan Army Act. With these arrests, the number of PTI members to be tried under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act has exceeded 50. “On the orders of the anti-terrorism courts, nine suspects belonging to PTI were handed to the Pakistan army for their trial,” a court official said.