Those who attacked military installations should be prosecuted under military laws: Pak Minister Maryam

A top Pakistani minister on Wednesday said those involved in attacks on army installations would be prosecuted under stringent military laws in the wake of the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. The government’s statement came amid concerns raised by human rights groups over the prosecution of civilians under military laws. Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb told a press conference that hundreds of people have been arrested for their involvement in the arson attacks and sabotage on May 9 following the arrest of former Prime Minister Khan from the Islamabad High Court complex. The minister said that it is the responsibility of the government to arrest and punish the culprits.

“The attackers will be prosecuted under relevant civil and military laws,” she said, adding that the National Security Committee has also “clearly committed to take strict action against them”. The cemetery was attacked which amounts to showing enmity towards the country. “We have video evidence and we will not spare anyone who does this,” the minister said.

Asked whether Khan would also be tried under military law, he said Khan would be tried by “the courts concerned”. Meanwhile, rights groups such as Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan have strongly criticized the proposed move to prosecute the rioters under the stringent Army Act. “It is worth noting that the Pakistani military has expressed its intention to try civilians under military law, possibly in military courts,” said Dinushika Dissanayake, deputy regional director of Amnesty International’s South Asia Unit. The trial of civilians in military courts is contrary to international law.

In a statement, Dinushika termed it as a “ploy to intimidate” the people. At the same time, the National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan tweeted, “We strongly oppose the move to use the Pakistan Army Act 1952 and the Official Secrets Act 1923 to prosecute civilians.” On May 9, former Prime Minister Imran Khan Violence erupted across Pakistan after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested him in a corruption case from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party set ablaze several buildings and vehicles and attacked police and military personnel as well as military installations, killing 10 people.

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