Trial of arsonists under army act is an internal matter of Pakistan: Hina Khar
ISLAMABAD: Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the trial of arsonists under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 is an internal matter of Pakistan.
She defended the federal government’s decision to hold trial of people involved in attacks on state and army installations on May 9, after the arrest of Imran Khan.
Hina Khar said, “No state can condone incidents of arson and vandalism.”
“Is there any state in the world that does not respond to arson and vandalism? Everyone saw the response to the attack on Capitol Hill in America,” she said while talking to media persons after attending a parliamentary meeting.
On May 17, the civil and military leaders endorsed a decision to invoke the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the Official Secrets Act, 1923 against people involved in the May 9 riots.
Violence gripped the country on May 9 after the arrest of former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan.
A few days after May 9 incidents, the federal and provincial governments have launched a massive crackdown against the PTI leaders and workers. Thousands of PTI workers have been jailed.
Many famous PTI leaders have also been sent to jail in recent days.
Hina Rabbani Khar, the state minister said she held discussions with the representatives of the European Union at the Indo-Pacific Forum.
“All countries were concerned about the rioting in Pakistan,” she added.
“Our effort is to bring peace as soon as possible. We will protect the constitutional rights of the people of Pakistan. Arsonists cannot be spared under any circumstances as what matters most at this time is Pakistan’s reputation,” she added.
