ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Friday that thirty-three suspects, nineteen in Punjab and fourteen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had been handed over to the army officials for trials following attacks on military installations during violent protests across the country on 9 May.
Addrressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said that out of the 499 FIRs, there were only six that were being processed — four in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two in Punjab— which can expectedly be tried in the military courts. The minister added that an atmosphere was being created as if all suspects were being tried in the military courts.
33 Suspects of May 9 Incidents Handed over to Military for Trial: Pakistan’s Interior Minister
Protests had started in the country following former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest on 9 May. While the protests were underway, different social media platforms were flooded with footage and videos of vandalism and rioting at many places, including the GHQ in Rawalpindi and Lahore Corps Commander House.
Pakistan Army had subsequently described the 9 May incidents a “dark chapter” in the history of the country and announced its intent to try the perpetuators under relevant laws, including two army laws — the Official Secrets Act and Pakistan Army Act.
The principal decision-making body National Security Committee also endorsed the decision to try the accused as per law.
In his today’s press conference, the Interior Minister said that eighty-eight of the 499 FIRs had been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act while the remaining on other charges, such as arson, vandalism, or interfering in state issues.
The minister said that nearly 4,000 people had been apprehended in connection with the cases registered under terrorism accusations, while 2,588 of these were in Punjab and about 1,100 were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He further said that 5,536 people had been taken into custody in the cases registered under other laws, “of which nearly 80% have been released on bail.
