Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal on Tuesday informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the government has not yet taken any decision on a potential military trial for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in cases related to the May 9, 2023 riots, adding if such a situation arises a plea will be submitted to the civil magistrate.
Continuing hearings into a plea filed by the former prime minister seeking a stay on the potential grant of his custody to a military court, IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb was informed by the AAG that proper legal procedure would be adopted if any decision were made for a military trial. “If a decision about military trial is taken, the plea will be submitted to the civil magistrate first,” he said.
Upon receiving confirmation of the legal process from the AAG, Justice Aurangzeb disposed of the PTI founder’s petition.
In the previous hearing on Sept. 16, Justice Aurangzeb had inquired about the procedure for granting military custody of any individual. “The Ministry of Defense has no information of military detention and trial till date,” he had remarked, noting nothing regarding Khan’s concerns had been brought before the ministry.
“If any request is made, action will still be taken according to the law,” the AAG had said, with Justice Aurangzeb saying if this were true, there was nothing to proceed with in the case. He had then directed the defense ministry to submit the procedure for civilians’ trial in military courts. In his testimony, the defense ministry’s representative had said it was a “clean” procedure.
“If a notice is issued to the PTI founder before the military trial, then the case will be wrapped up,” Justice Aurangzeb had said, noting the civil court would first frame the charge before recommending it be placed before a military court.
Earlier this month, Khan had sought a bar on the possibility of him being placed in military custody, citing statements of several ministers suggesting he could face a military trial over his role in the May 9, 2023 riots.