by Press Trust of IndiaNine more members of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were arrested on Wednesday to face trial under the Pakistan Army Act over their alleged role in the May 9 attacks on sensitive military installations and government buildings. was handed over to ,
With these arrests, the number of PTI workers prosecuted under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act has crossed 50.
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“On the orders of anti-terrorism courts, nine suspects linked to PTI and involved in the attack on ISI buildings (in Faisalabad) and military installations in Multan Cantonment were handed over to the Pakistan Army on Wednesday for their trial under the Army Act. and the Official Secrets Act,” said a court official.
This was followed by violent protests on 9 May Rangers of the paramilitary force arrested 70-year-old KhanPakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chairman from Islamabad High Court premises in a corruption case.
Activists of his party vandalized a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali Airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad, in response to Khan’s arrest.
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The mob also stormed the Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi for the first time.
Thousands of Khan’s supporters were arrested following violence described by the powerful military as a “dark day” in the country’s history.
The crackdown, initiated after the violent May 9 protests, has thrown the PTI into a deep existential crisis, with dozens of prominent party leaders leaving the party daily.
Prominent leaders who quit Khan’s party include general secretary Asad Umar, senior leader Fawad Chaudhry and former minister Shireen Mazari.
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Earlier this month, the National Assembly, the lower house of Pakistan’s parliament, passed a resolution pledging to prosecute the May 9 rioters under existing laws, including the draconian Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The Pakistan Army Act was enacted by the Pakistani Parliament in 1952 to regulate the affairs of the army.
Among other provisions, it includes testing of military personnel under the military’s legal code.
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The law also applies to civilians in some cases, especially civilians serving in military departments.
It also applies to civilians who are accused of inciting mutiny in the military, who are involved in espionage, such as sharing secrets with the enemy.
Khan, a former cricketer-turned-politician, was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote in his leadership, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy, because of his independent foreign policy decisions. Because of which he was targeted. Russia, China and Afghanistan.
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Published on:
May 31, 2023