Pakistan to try those who attacked military under army law: PM

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By Webdesk


The government’s decision comes amid growing criticism of its earlier announcement to try all protesters under the draconian law.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says people who attacked military properties during anti-government protests earlier this month will be tried under the country’s military law.

The nuclear-armed South Asian country witnessed deadly protests following the dramatic arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges by a court in the capital Islamabad on May 9.

During Khan’s 48-hour detention, his supporters stormed government vehicles and buildings, including military properties, and set some on fire. At least 10 people were killed and more than 4,000 arrested in the demonstrations.

The government promised to quell the protests by using the Pakistani military’s draconian law, which experts and human rights groups say denies civilians due process.

Amid mounting criticism of his government’s decision to try all protesters under military law, Sharif said on Sunday that people alleged to have attacked civilian property will be tried under “anti-terrorism” laws.

“We have made a number of decisions and agreed that the civilians involved in attacking civilian installations will be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Those protesters who attacked military installations, we will bring to justice according to the relevant laws in the constitution,” he said at a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in the eastern city of Lahore.

World rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have urged the Pakistani government to respect the rights of those arrested during the protests.

Meanwhile, Khan, who heads Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, condemned the government’s crackdown on his party and its supporters.

In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Khan said, “Every effort is being made to dismantle our democracy.”

“All of my senior leadership is in jail,” he told the US-based broadcaster, adding that he could also be arrested on Tuesday.

“I am going to Islamabad on Tuesday for bail and there is an 80 percent chance that I will be arrested. There is no rule of law,” said the 70-year-old politician.

Khan was removed from power in April last year after losing a confidence vote in parliament. He has since demanded early national elections, which would otherwise have been held in October this year.

The PTI chief has repeatedly claimed that the government is colluding with the powerful military to keep him out of the election process.

“My concern is that even then there will be no elections [in October] unless they are clear my side will not win,” he said.

However, Khan added that he “never had a problem” with the military. “How can you win against your own army? It’s a pyrrhic victory,” he told CNN.



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