Former PM Imran Khan's May 9 Riot Cases May Head to Military Courts

Pakistan's government indicates former Prime Minister Imran Khan's trials related to the May 9 riots could be conducted in military courts. The riots followed Khan's arrest last year and involved significant vandalism, leading to the potential application of the Army Act. Legal experts discuss the implications.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's cases related to the May 9 riots may be tried in military courts, according to Barrister Aqeel Malik, the government's spokesperson for legal affairs. Notably, protests erupted nationwide on May 9 last year after paramilitary Rangers detained Imran from the Islamabad High Court on corruption charges.

The protests saw widespread rioting and vandalism, with significant incidents occurring at the Lahore Corps Commander's residence and the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The already-incarcerated former prime minister was "arrested" in these cases on July 15, just a day after he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were apprehended in a new Toshakhana case following their acquittal in the Iddat case, as reported by Dawn.

In an interview with DawnNewsTV, Malik confirmed the possibility of Imran's trial in a military court. He stated that the Army Act would apply since military installations were attacked during the riots. Malik further alleged that the PTI founder had orchestrated and managed the events of May 9.

"This was premeditated. This was pre-planned," Malik emphasized. He added that it is entirely possible that Imran Khan's trial will be held in a military court due to the applicability of the Army Act. There is a general consensus that any conviction by a military court could be appealed at the high court, but Malik clarified that neither the high court nor the Supreme Court could entertain it, as the military court of appeals would handle it.

Once all options of appeals are exhausted, a mercy appeal could only be submitted to the army chief or the president as a last resort. Imran Khan previously claimed there was a plan to try him in a military court, alleging that Lt-Gen (retired) Faiz Hameed was being pressured to turn approver against him to facilitate the military court trial, according to Dawn.

(With inputs from agencies.)