Imran talks of his possible court-martial

While acknowledging that he had asked his party—the PTI—to stage a “peaceful protest” outside the GHQ in the event of his arrest, former prime minister Imran Khan on Monday expressed his apprehension about authorities’ possible plan to have him tried in military court in May 9 cases.

“Their plan is to put me in a military jail and take me to a military court for the May 9 cases,” Imran said while talking to reporters at the hearing of the £190m corruption case in a courtroom inside Adiala Jail.

Violent protests erupted after paramilitary Rangers arrested Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9, 2023 in connection with the corruption case.

During the protests, alleged PTI workers and supporters attacked and vandalized military installations and memorials including the General Headquarters popularly known as the GHQ.

After the unprecedented incidents, authorities swung into action and initiated a massive crackdown against the PTI while also holding trials of over 100 PTI workers in military courts.

Civil and military authorities have been accusing the former PM of planning the May 9 conspiracy ahead of his arrest, a claim vehemently rejected by Imran and his party.

After Imran’s acquittal in the Iddat case last week, authorities arrested him in another National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference as well as 12 different May 9 cases.

Talking with reference to the May 9 incidents, Imran denied giving orders for vandalizing state properties but did acknowledge that he had asked his party to stage “peaceful protest” outside the GHQ in case of his arrest.

He said over 100 PTI workers are in the military’s custody while authorities are planning to also have him tried in a military court in May 9 cases. He said state witnesses are being prepared against him in the May 9 cases as well.

“When I was shot in Wazirabad and named ISI’s [former official] as an accused, no one protested or caused any destruction. On March 14, my house was attacked, and on March 18, there was another attack on me at the judicial complex,” he said.

Imran Khan said Minister for Information Atta Tarar claims that he is confined in a VIP room at Adiala Jail which, according to him, is contrary to fact.

“If Atta Tarar is telling the truth, he should come and meet me. The media should also visit my room for two minutes. The walls of the cells for prisoners in death row and those arrested in terrorism cases are next to my room.”

He said lies are being told repeatedly to cover up the events of February 8, the day of general elections, which, according to the PTI, were highly rigged.

“The chief justice of Pakistan is in a hurry to hear the review petition on PTI’s reserved seats. I ask the chief justice why our petition regarding May 25 is not being heard. Everyone knows that the Supreme Court is now handling the matter in a one-sided manner,” he said.

Imran said the statements that Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s wife Sarina Isa issued against him are available on social media. “Morally, the chief justice should not hear cases against us [PTI],” he said.