Pakistan's Defence Minister suggests a possible military trial for Imran Khan

Islamabad, September 2: Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested that former Prime Minister Imran Khan could potentially face a military trial, according to ARY News.

In a talk show on a private news channel, Asif mentioned that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party needs to issue an apology for the events of May 9; otherwise, no dialogue will take place. He noted that during the PTI-led government, 24 civilian cases were tried in military courts, with many resulting in death sentences.

Asif also stated that if Imran Khan were to be tried in a military court, it should be an open trial. He emphasized that such transparency is crucial to reveal the alleged negative intentions of Khan and his party, which he claimed were involved in attacks on national institutions on May 9.

He added that Khan's association with former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed continued even after May 9, suggesting they shared common objectives.

On May 9, following Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court, PTI workers staged nationwide protests that escalated into riots, including attacks on military installations. PTI had called for widespread demonstrations against Khan's arrest.

Imran Khan, who served as Pakistan's Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022, has been detained in Adiala Jail since August 2023 on multiple charges, including those related to the Toshakhana case, the cypher case, and an unlawful marriage case. His wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been imprisoned for several months. Although some of Khan's sentences have been suspended or overturned, his prospects for release have diminished following additional cases related to the May 9 riots.