Military Trial
ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) took a significant step by removing objections to a plea filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, challenging the possibility of his military trial and detention.
The court’s decision marks a crucial development in Khan’s legal battle against what he views as an unjust process.
During the hearing, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb voiced concerns about the potential for Khan, a civilian, to be subjected to a military trial.
The court’s primary focus was to ascertain whether the federal government was indeed contemplating a military trial for Khan. Justice Aurangzeb requested the federal government to provide a clear stance on this matter by September 16.
The court instructed the registrar’s office to number the case, signaling that the legal process would proceed. Additionally, the court has sought an explanation from the federal government by the specified date.
The outcome of this inquiry will determine the future of Khan’s plea. If the federal government does not provide relevant information, the plea may become ineffective.
However, should the government confirm that a military trial is under consideration, the court will continue to review the case and make a decision accordingly.
The Additional Attorney General, who was present during the proceedings, initially requested that the court address the objections to the plea before proceeding further. The judge, however, ruled that the objections had been resolved, allowing the case to move forward.
In August, Imran Khan had filed the plea through his lawyer, Aziz Karamat Bhandari, challenging the transfer of the May 9 cases to military courts.
Khan’s plea named several respondents, including the Secretary of Law, Secretary of Home, IG Islamabad, IG Punjab, IG Jails, DG FIA, and the federal government, seeking to prevent the military trial of the May 9 cases.
Earlier, Khan had expressed his willingness to offer a conditional apology for the May 9 riots, which led to his incarceration.
Speaking from Adiala Jail, he indicated that if footage identified any culprits associated with PTI, he would expel them from the party and issue an apology.
Khan has claimed that his party is being unjustly blamed for the incidents and accused authorities of concealing evidence. He also described his arrest as a form of ‘kidnapping’ and demanded an apology for what he termed his ‘abduction.’
The IHC’s decision to remove objections and request a clear position from the federal government is a pivotal moment in this legal process.
The court’s actions will likely influence the trajectory of Khan’s case and the broader implications for the ongoing political and legal challenges facing him.
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