BackPakistani Army vows to prosecute civilians who take part in protests against Imran Khan's arrest
During a meeting on May 9th, the corps commanders made a decision to use the Army Act and Official Secrets Act against those who were suspected of being involved in the riots
PremiumThe leadership of the Pakistan Army has pledged to take legal action against individuals responsible for recent attacks on military installations. These attackers will be prosecuted under the Army Act and Official Secrets Act (OSA).
As reported by Dawn, during a meeting on May 9th, the corps commanders made a decision to use the Army Act and Official Secrets Act against those who were suspected of being involved in the riots that resulted in damage to both public and private properties across Pakistan.
On Tuesday, this decision was supported by the civilian leadership and high-ranking military officials.
After the arrest of Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party, a significant number of demonstrators targeted various military installations in Pakistan. These included the Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the residence of a corps commander. The attackers not only caused damage to the property but also looted items from the premises. The incidents were captured on video and widely circulated on social media platforms for several days.
The Pakistan Army's decision to invoke the stringent Army Act and Official Secrets Act carries grave consequences, as Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters could face severe charges that may result in a death sentence or life imprisonment.
During a Special Corps Commanders Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Army Chief General Asim Munir chaired the meeting where it was decided that no more restraint will be shown towards individuals who target military installations. The statement, issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the media wing of the Pakistan Army, indicated this development on Monday.
The participants of the Special Corps Commanders Conference condemned the politically motivated and instigated incidents against military installations and public and private properties, the statement said.
"Based on the irrefutable evidence collected so far, Armed Forces are well aware of the planners, instigators, abettors, and perpetrators of these attacks, and attempts to create distortions in this regard are absolutely futile," the statement said.
In reaction to the Pakistan Army's statement, the PTI took to Twitter, asserting that as a responsible and prominent political organization within Pakistan, they maintain a steadfast dedication to upholding the constitution and supporting democracy.
According to a statement issued by the Central Media Department of Imran Khan's party, the peaceful protest following the Chairman PTI's alleged illegal abduction by paramilitary troops from the Islamabad High Court on May 9th was described as a natural and predictable response, protected by the constitution as a fundamental right for the public to engage in peaceful demonstrations.
(With PTI inputs)
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