IHC to Hear Imran Khan's Plea Against Potential Military Trial Today

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) schedules hearing for ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s plea to halt his potential military trial linked to May 9 riots. The case, controversial due to registrar's objections, underscores legal tensions regarding civilian trials in military courts.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has scheduled a hearing for former Prime Minister Imran Khan's petition aimed at preventing his potential transfer to the military for trial in relation to the May 9 riots cases, Pakistan-based Geo News reported. The case will be heard today by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb.

Despite multiple objections from the IHC registrar's office, the high court has decided to proceed with hearing the plea. Imran Khan filed the petition under Article 199 of the Constitution on September 3, amid ongoing speculations about a possible trial in a military court. Statements by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar have added fuel to these speculations.

Earlier this week, Asif suggested on a private news channel that evidence against Khan was mounting, making a military trial more likely. Tarar, while speaking informally to media persons on August 29, suggested that the Punjab government could decide to refer Khan's case to a military court if deemed necessary.

However, objections from the registrar's office cited the absence of a specific FIR and documentation attached to the petition, questioning how a high court could entertain the plea while the matter is still sub judice in the Supreme Court. In December 2023, the Supreme Court suspended its earlier decision that declared civilian trials in military courts null and void.

This ongoing legal battle highlights significant tensions within Pakistan's judiciary and government regarding the handling of civilian cases in military courts, a matter yet to be resolved by the Supreme Court's final verdict on the intra-court appeals.

(With inputs from agencies.)