No decision yet on Imran’s military trial, AAG tells IHC

ISLAMABAD: Additional Attorney General (AAG) Munawar Iqbal Duggal informed the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday that no decision had been made so far on PTI founder Imran Khan’s military trial.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had sought a clarification from the government on Imran Khan’s possible military trial.

During a hearing on September 16, the high court had directed the defence ministry to provide a clear stance on Khan’s potential military trial at the next hearing on September 24 (today). The ministry had requested for more time.

Imran Khan had filed a petition against military trial related to the May 9 incident, during which military installations were vandalised following his arrest in a corruption case in 2023.

Khan’s petition was prompted by statements from government officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, which fueled rumours about his possible military trial for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.

It is pertinent to note that in July 2023, an anti-terrorism court in Lahore, in a four-page written verdict, had stated that there were reasonable grounds to connect the PTI founder with the May 9 incidents.

The AAG clarified that if a decision to conduct a military trial of Khan was taken, legal procedures would be followed. “If such a decision is made, the plea will be first submitted to a civil magistrate,” Duggal added. Following this, IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb disposed of Imran Khan’s petition. A representative from the defence ministry was also present at the hearing.