ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, addressed the media on Friday to clarify that the possible trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 mayhem falls under the jurisdiction of military courts. Sanaullah stated that the Pakistan Army Act applies to those who entered restricted areas, sent others, or abetted such actions.
Referring to the attack on the Jinnah House by enraged PTI workers following Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case, Sanaullah emphasized that the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act are applicable to activities in military areas. He highlighted that Jinnah House is the residence of the Lahore corps commander and his camp office, where sensitive items were also present.
The minister further mentioned that out of nearly 500 cases filed after the May 9 vandalism, only six are being processed to be tried under the Army Act, refuting the perception created by the PTI that all the arrested individuals would face military courts. Sanaullah assured that the remaining cases would be tried in civil courts.
Interior Minister Shares Details of FIRs
Providing details about the legal action taken against the vandals, Sanaullah shared that 499 First Information Reports (FIRs) had been registered in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the riots. Among these, 88 FIRs were registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), while 411 were registered on other charges.
The interior minister disclosed that a total of 3,944 suspects had been arrested, with 2,588 apprehended in Punjab and 1,099 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Additionally, 5,536 arrests were made in other cases, with the majority of those released on bail.
Sanaullah vehemently denied rumors that all cases would be tried in military courts, clarifying that only seven out of the 499 cases are being processed for military court proceedings. He emphasized that such measures are being taken in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and not in any other regions.
