• PTI chief changes his mind on ‘inappropriate’ remarks by Gandapur, tells supporters to buckle up for ‘real freedom’
• FIA forms three-member JIT to probe Toshakhana case against ex-PM, spouse Bushra

ISLAMABAD: As former prime minister Imran Khan urged the judiciary to stand up for the rule of law in the country in light of recent developments, the Islamabad High Court sought a clear response from the government about the possible military trial for the PTI chief in connection with the May 9 violence.

The high court was hearing a petition moved by the former premier to preempt such a trial amid statements by the cabinet members as well as the army spokesperson about the possibility of his court-martial.

At the outset of the hearing on Thursday, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb removed the objections raised by the registrar and asked the additional attorney general, Barrister Munawer Iqbal Duggal, to seek instructions from the federal government on the matter related to the military trial for the ex-premier. After a brief interval, the court resumed the hearing on Mr Khan’s petition.

Mr Khan’s counsel Uzair Bhandari pointed out that government spokesperson for legal affairs, Barrister Aqeel Malik, had stated that the former prime minister would be tried by the military court and also diverted the attention of the court towards the press conference of Inter-Services Public Relations DG in which, the army spokesperson, without naming Mr Khan, hinted for his military trial. Justice Aurangzeb remarked that this would be political statements.

The judge asked Barrister Duggal about the statements of the ministers about Mr Khan’s trial by the military court and termed this alarming. He directed him to explain whether the government was considering his military trial or otherwise. The court asked the additional attorney general to get the government’s response by Sept 16.

‘Struggle for democracy’

Separately, Imran Khan, after hearing of the £190m corruption case by an accountability court in Adiala Jail, asked his supporters to be ready for street protests to win ‘real freedom’.

Talking to the media persons, the PTI leader said his party was waging a struggle for democracy in Pakistan and also urged the judiciary to rise for the rule of law. Mr Khan said that no one was ready to invest in Pakistan since there was no rule of law. He also criticised the government for the arrest of the PTI lawmakers from parliament in violation of rules and laws.

The former premier said the language of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur during a rally in Islamabad on Sunday was inappropriate. The former prime minister said CM Gandapur should not have made such remarks against journalists, adding that he had not known about the comments.

“Now you have told me everything…Ali Amin Gandapur should not have said that,” said Imran Khan in response to his earlier statement wherein he had supported the KP chief minister for his statement.

In reply to a question whether he would apologise for the remarks made by his party leader, the PTI chief said that he had been saying for the third time that CM Gandapur should not have said that. “I think Ali Amin Gandapur has spoken a bit too much in his rhetoric,” he said, adding, “There are good and bad people in every field, that doesn’t mean all are bad.”

The PTI chief also criticised judge Humayun Dilawar who convicted him on Aug 5 last year and said that the government showered blessing on those judges who convicted him. The PTI leader also took a potshot at CJP Qazi Faez Isa, saying the top judge deprived his party of the electoral symbol ahead of the elections and now he was once again being imposed on the country. It may be noted that the government is planning to table a constitutional package which aims to fix the top judge’s tenure at three years.

JIT constituted

Meanwhile, the FIA constituted a three-member team to probe the new Toshakhana reference in which Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi have been accused of retaining expensive jewelry at a throwaway price. The case was initially filed before the accountability court but was transferred to the special judge central on Sept 9 under the amendments in the National Accountability Ordinance.

According to sources, the JIT will issue notice to Imran Khan and interrogate him in prison.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024