Lahore: Pakistan’s ousted PM Pakistan Imran Khan and other PTI leaders and workers have been charged with “criminal conspiracy”, which carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty, for “masterminding” the attack on army installations and inciting the people to mutiny on May 9, Lahore police senior investigation officer Anoosh Masood said at a press conference.
“Besides section 120-B, Khan and others will face nine other offences regarding giving provocation with intent to cause riot, abetting mutiny and attempting to wage a war against Pakistan. A challan of the case has been prepared by the police investigators and prosecutors and will be submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court Lahore,” Masood said.
Pakistan saw massive nationwide anti-government protests following the arrest of Khan by Paramilitary Rangers in a corruption case on May 9. Khan was later released on bail. Dozens of military installations and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were damaged or torched during the riots. Over 100 vehicles of police and other security agencies were set on fire. Khan and hundreds of PTI leaders and workers were accused of attacking Lahore Corps Commander House and Askari Tower in the city on May 9.
Khan has been in Attock Jail in Punjab province since August 5. He was arrested in the Toshakhana (gifts) case and subsequently handed down a three-year imprisonment. He was later granted bail in the case after the higher court suspended the verdict. However, he was re-arrested in the cipher case under the Official Secrets Act. Khan has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking post-arrest bail in the cipher case.