IHC seeks clarification from govt on Imran Khan’s military trial
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought a clarification from the federal government on an application for stopping the potential military arrest and trial of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan.
Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb conducted the hearing, during which he addressed the objections raised on a petition seeking to prevent any military trial of Imran Khan. The court also dismissed the objections, and sought an official response from the attorney general’s office.
“You’re saying that there is no case yet, but there may be one?” the judge asked Imran Khan’s lawyer, to which counsel Uzair Bhandari replied they had a concern about it.
Justice Aurangzeb said this was politics, on which the PTI lawyer said the DG had given a statement in this regard. The judge said that was also politics, to which Bhandari said senior government and military officials had made statements to this effect.
The Islamabad High Court sought an explanation from the federal government by September 16 on whether there will be a military trial of Imran Khan or not. Justice Aurangzeb remarked that the military trial of a civilian is a cause of concern for the court.
The government should present a clear answer if the matter is even being considered because if not then the petition would become ineffective. Justice Aurangzeb remarked that federal ministers had threatened with a military trial of the high-profile petitioner, who was a common citizen.
