ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan will be tried in military court over May 9 vandalism.

Talking to private news channel, Sanaullah accused Imran Khan of “Personally planning attacks” on military installations before his arrest, adding that to substantiate this claim, there was also evidence.  He said if other leaders distanced themselves from party and condemned May 9 attacks, they might be awarded relaxation. “Any person who was inside red line of Lahore’s Corps Commander House will not be exempt from punishment,” he added.

He said that there were two types of those involved including motivators and doers. “PTI chief Imran Khan is among motivators,” he added. Upon being countered that Khan was not inside physical red line, he repeated Khan was an instigator.. Upon Mr Khan’s arrest before elections, he said Khan could be arrested in Al-Qadir Trust corruption case and May 9 attacks cases as well. “He could be disqualified if he is convicted after arrest,” he added.

On question of law enforcers taking preemptive measures before attacks, he said operation would have been successful if state had used full force.\ As for question of military trials, Sanaullah said trial would be conducted after thorough investigation into their role in attacks. “Some people have even stolen sensitive documents from Corps Commander’s House,” he added.

No decision had been taken for indicting Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed yet, he said. On putting Mr Khan under military trial, he said military would take final decision on it, adding that Mr Khan was main instigator. “Military’s team has been constituted to try him in seven cases,” he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 31 2023

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