Pakistani government spokesman: Imran Khan could be tried in military court for violence on May 9

Islamabad, August 25: The trial of jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan in cases related to the May 9 violence last year could be heard in military courts, a government spokesman said.
The incidents and vandalism on May 9 last year required the application of the Army Act as military installations were attacked and damaged, government spokesman on legal affairs Barrister Aqeel Malik was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.
On May 9 last year, violent protests broke out after Khan, the 71-year-old founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was arrested by paramilitary rangers on the premises of the Supreme Court in Islamabad in connection with an alleged corruption case.
His party workers are said to have vandalised a dozen military establishments, including Jinnah House (house of the Lahore Corps Commander), Mianwali Air Force Base and the ISI building in Faisalabad. A mob also attacked the Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
In an interview with a private news channel on Friday, Malik said: “It is quite possible that Imran Khan's trial will take place before a military court because the Army Act will be applied.”
Mailk claimed the attack was “premeditated” and “planned” and told the newspaper that the PTI founder orchestrated and “properly directed” the unrest.
When asked whether Khan could be tried in a military court following the arrest of former intelligence chief (ret. Lieutenant General) Faiz Hameed, he replied: “Yes.”
Hameed, who was the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2021, was arrested after responding to a private real estate developer's complaint of alleged abuse of office. He was arrested on August 12 in the Top City Case.
Malik said that if all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, the only last resort would be to appeal for clemency to the army chief or the president.
Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after being convicted in the first corruption case filed against Toshakhana by the Election Commission of Pakistan. Since then, he has been in jail on various charges.
Although the former cricketer-turned-politician was granted bail or had his conviction quashed, he was not released. (PTI)