In a significant political development in Pakistan, the Pak Army has hinted at a military trial for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a day after a court martial was initiated against Khan’s aid and former ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed(retd) on charges that he violated the Pakistan Army Act.
It was for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a court martial was initiated against an ISI chief (retired or serving ) which has now raised the heat on Imran Khan with the army categorically warning that any individual who uses military personnel for personal or political gains invites legal action.
Pakistan’s military spokesman and DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a media briefing at General Headquarters that anyone who uses individuals subject to the Army Act for personal or political gain will be subject to the law taking its course.
General Chaudhry was responding to a question about the chances of a military trial for Imran Khan. Though he attempted to sidestep the question citing that the matter was sub judice, he highlighted the conditions under which a civilian could be tried under military law.
Section 2(d)(i) of the Army Act, extends the act’s domain to civilians who try to compromise the duty or allegiance of military personnel to the government.
It is not the first time that the reports about Imran Khan’s military trial were reported in the Pakistani media. There have been numerous times when speculations were raised that Imran Khan could be tried by the military. These speculations got greater traction after Imran Khan asked for intervention from the Islamabad High Court to preempt a possible court martial after he raised concerns that he might be implicated in the May 9 violence.
However, this time Pakistan’s all-powerful military is looking dead serious to get rid of Imran Khan who had significantly harmed the credibility of the Pakistan army.
Experts cite that the arrest and subsequent court martial proceedings against General Faiz Hameed could be the precursor to prosecuting incarcerated Imran Khan on charges of treason and attempting to incite a mutiny in the military. It is being speculated that the Army will try to make Faiz Hameed an approver and pressurise him to provide information that could implicate Imran Khan.
Currently, Imran Khan is being tried in a civilian court for allegedly abetting violence but the charges of treason and mutiny could exaggerate his problems as they are tried by a military court. Such trials remain hidden from the general public and if initiated can even award a death sentence to Khan.
Imran Khan and his ally Faiz Hameed have repeatedly been accused of being the main culprit behind the May 9 violence where supporters of Khan went on the rampage vandalising military installations across the country. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had accused Imran Khan of providing the manpower and alleged that Faiz Hameed masterminded the conspiracy.
Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir had already made it clear that the accused behind the May 9 violence could not be let go and that there would be no compromise or deal with the planners and architects of this dark chapter in our history.
