Imran Khan to face military court trial over May 9 violence: Pakistan

A government spokesman has said the trial of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is being held in Pakistan, in connection with the violence on May 9 last year could be tried in a military court.

The events and vandalism on May 9 last year led to the application of the Army Act as military installations were attacked and damaged, Aqeel Malik, the government’s legal affairs spokesperson, was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.

On May 9 last year, violent protests broke out after paramilitary Rangers arrested 71-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party founder Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court in connection with an alleged corruption case.

His party workers reportedly destroyed a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), the Mianwali air base and the ISI building in Faisalabad. A mob also attacked the army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

During an interview with a private news channel on Friday, Malik said: “It is very possible that the trial of Imran Khan will be held in a military court, and the reason for that is that the Army Act will apply.” Malik claimed that the attack was “premeditated” and “pre-planned” and said that the PTI founder had orchestrated the riots and “properly executed them”, according to the newspaper.

When asked if Khan’s trial would be possible in a military court following the arrest of former intelligence chief Lt-Gen (retired) Faiz Hameed, he said: “Yes.” Hameed, who was director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from 2019 to 2021, was arrested following action on a complaint filed by a private developer alleging abuse of official authority. He was arrested on August 12 in the Top City Case.

Malik said that once appeal options are exhausted, the only option left would be to file a pardon request with the military chief or the president as a last resort.

Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after his conviction in the first Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. He has been in custody in several cases since then.

Although the former cricketer-turned-politician has been released on bail or had his conviction quashed, he has not yet been released.