ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former prime minister, Imran Khan, has been named in multiple terrorism-related cases of attacks on government, army and ISI facilities on May 9 following his dramatic arrest by paramilitary personnel from the Islamabad high court premises over alleged graft charges.
Imran’s nomination in cases related to the attack on the Pakistan army GHQ in Rawalpindi, and damaging army and ISI property, has apparently paved the way for his possible trial in military courts.
His nomination in at least six cases came after regional police officers were directed by their chief to nominate Imran in all cases registered across the province in the wake of the May 9 attacks on military installations by adding Pakistan Penal Code Section 34 to those FIRs.Section 34 states that when a criminal act is done by several people, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it was done by him alone.
Fifteen people, including former federal minister Sheheryar Afridi and provincial minister Raja Basharat, have already been arrested in the GHQ attack case.
Police sources claimed Imran has been named in the cases on the basis of confessional statements made by detained PTI members. “Imran Khan has been named as a result of the interrogation of those arrested in the listed cases,” said a Rawalpindi-based police officer. Their admissions, police said, could be presented in court as evidence against Imran. Several people arrested in these cases have been handed over to the army by district courts for trial in military courts.
According to the official statistics presented in the Supreme Court, the cases of 102 people have been sent to the military courts so far, including those accused of vandalising the GHQ.
On Wednesday night, Imran Khan had said he was ready to appear before the military courts. “I am ready for military courts. If I get a chance,I will defend myself, I will not hire a lawyer,” Khan said during his speech on social media, claiming that at least three attempts were made to kill him even before the November 3 attack on him in Wazirabad, Pakistan Punjab.
Khan said that his well-wishers were advising him to leave the country. “However, I will not go out of Pakistan,” he remarked.
Hundreds of cases of arson were filed against PTI leaders, workers and supporters for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations. Of these FIRs, 14 were registered in Lahore, 13 in Rawalpindi, five in Faisalabad, and four each in Multan, Sargodha and Mianwali districts under the anti-terrorism law and other charges.
Following the attacks on its offices and monuments, the army had declared May 9 as a “black day” and warned that any further attack on it or on state institutions or any law enforcement agency would be dealt with with full force.
The government has launched a massive crackdown against PTI leaders, arresting and re-arresting the former ruling party leaders over their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots. As a result, several PTI stalwarts quit the party while others distanced themselves from Imran.
Imran’s nomination in cases related to the attack on the Pakistan army GHQ in Rawalpindi, and damaging army and ISI property, has apparently paved the way for his possible trial in military courts.
His nomination in at least six cases came after regional police officers were directed by their chief to nominate Imran in all cases registered across the province in the wake of the May 9 attacks on military installations by adding Pakistan Penal Code Section 34 to those FIRs.Section 34 states that when a criminal act is done by several people, in furtherance of the common intention of all, each such person is liable for that act in the same manner as if it was done by him alone.
Fifteen people, including former federal minister Sheheryar Afridi and provincial minister Raja Basharat, have already been arrested in the GHQ attack case.
Police sources claimed Imran has been named in the cases on the basis of confessional statements made by detained PTI members. “Imran Khan has been named as a result of the interrogation of those arrested in the listed cases,” said a Rawalpindi-based police officer. Their admissions, police said, could be presented in court as evidence against Imran. Several people arrested in these cases have been handed over to the army by district courts for trial in military courts.
According to the official statistics presented in the Supreme Court, the cases of 102 people have been sent to the military courts so far, including those accused of vandalising the GHQ.
On Wednesday night, Imran Khan had said he was ready to appear before the military courts. “I am ready for military courts. If I get a chance,I will defend myself, I will not hire a lawyer,” Khan said during his speech on social media, claiming that at least three attempts were made to kill him even before the November 3 attack on him in Wazirabad, Pakistan Punjab.
Khan said that his well-wishers were advising him to leave the country. “However, I will not go out of Pakistan,” he remarked.
Hundreds of cases of arson were filed against PTI leaders, workers and supporters for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations. Of these FIRs, 14 were registered in Lahore, 13 in Rawalpindi, five in Faisalabad, and four each in Multan, Sargodha and Mianwali districts under the anti-terrorism law and other charges.
Following the attacks on its offices and monuments, the army had declared May 9 as a “black day” and warned that any further attack on it or on state institutions or any law enforcement agency would be dealt with with full force.
The government has launched a massive crackdown against PTI leaders, arresting and re-arresting the former ruling party leaders over their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots. As a result, several PTI stalwarts quit the party while others distanced themselves from Imran.
