In a significant development, Pakistan’s lower house of parliament has passed a resolution allowing Trial of Civilians in Military Courts. He demanded a swift trial for those responsible for inciting and carrying out attacks on military properties following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9.
Imran Khan has vehemently asserted that his party is a peaceful one, emphasizing that he has been running it for over 30 years without resorting to any acts of violence. Khan firmly denies any involvement of his party in the violance that took place on May 9, stating that such actions were orchestrated from within the government to justify imposing a ban on his party, as they are unable to win elections fair and square. Furthermore, Khan criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government for disregarding a Supreme Court order to conduct elections. He also claimed that the government cited a lack of funds for elections, while the military declined to provide security for the electoral process.
Imran Khan, who has been engaged in a fierce standoff with the powerful Pakistani military, witnessed widespread protests by his supporters.
Although Khan has been released on bail, he has consistently called for negotiations to resolve the impasse with the military. However, the government has rejected his appeals and issued threats to ban Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In a new challenge to Imran Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif presented a resolution in the National Assembly. Although the resolution did not explicitly mention Khan or the PTI, it condemned “a political party and its chairman” for orchestrating attacks on military installations. The resolution received unanimous approval from the assembly.
The passing of this resolution, coinciding with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s one-on-one meeting with Army Chief General Asim Munir, is seen as a significant blow to the embattled Imran Khan. It brings him closer to the possibility of facing a military trial.
In recent weeks, Imran Khan has openly accused the military and its intelligence agency of attempting to dismantle his party. He firmly believes that he will face trial in a military court and be imprisoned.