On Monday, Pakistan’s military leadership decided to try the protestors who vandalised and caused unrest on 9 May, following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan’s arrest, under the country’s military law.
However, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif clarified on the same day that the final decision on the issue was yet to be made. However, he said, “They will face the law for whatever they have done. No one will go scot-free, not even Imran Khan.”
Overview
Following a Special Corps Commanders Conference held under the chairship of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, PTI supporters who participated in last week’s protest will be tried under the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The Pakistan Army Act is usually used against serving military officers who are tried by the military’s internal inquiry. Meanwhile, the Official Secrets Act is used to try charges including sedition and espionage.
The decision is significant as it will allow Khan and his supporters to be served punishments as severe as the death penalty or life sentence.
#Pakistan Army declares it has evidence that arson and vandalism against military buildings on 9-10 May was preplanned, has identified the planners, and is proceeding against them under Pakistan Army Act, Official Secrets Act, and that "restraint will no longer be exercised." /1 pic.twitter.com/lZsFp7Cqly
— Ahmed Quraishi (@_AhmedQuraishi) May 15, 2023
A statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations said the military meeting agreed that “those involved in these heinous crimes against the military installations and personal equipment will be brought to justice.”
The top leaders of the army further resolved that the perpetrators of the violence would no longer be dealt with restraint, making sure that their “attempts to create distortions in this regard are absolutely futile.” In addition, the statement said that the military top brass agreed on the “need for strict implementation of relevant laws to penalise the violators of the social media rules and regulations.”
During the discussions, the forum took note of the incidents of vandalism and desecration of monuments, historic properties, and military installations. The statement highlighted that the actions aimed to “malign the institution” and provoke “an impulsive reaction.” It also criticised the propaganda against the establishment, which they claimed was foreign-sponsored, but facilitated domestically.
To this end, the armed officers expressed their “anguish” towards the “unfortunate and unacceptable incidents.”
Khan Denies PTI Involvement in Violence
Imran Niazi's act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable. His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agnecy cannot be…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 7, 2023
While the army previously referred to the protests as a “Black Day” for Pakistan, Imran Khan has insisted that his supporters did not participate in the violence, particularly in attacks against military properties such as the Lahore Corps Commander House.
Khan further called for an independent inquiry into the violent incidents during the 9 May protests, claiming that the ruling government was seeking to facilitate unrest to avoid elections.
Rejecting Khan’s defence, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Monday that the government would not hold any discussions with the PTI unless the party apologises for the 9 May violence.