Pakistan: Imran Khan's actions similar to terrorists, says court on May 9 violence case

In a case related to the May 9 violence, a Pakistani anti-terrorism court declared on Thursday that the deeds of imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan resembled those of a “terrorist”. The court determined that he had given party leaders the assignment to target government buildings, military installations, and law enforcement personnel in an effort to put pressure on them to secure his release.

The 71-year-old PTI founder and hundreds of his party associates are on trial in many counts, one of which is related to the violent protests by his supporters on May 9, 2023, which resulted in damage to important military installations throughout Pakistan. The case is being tried under the Official Secrets Act. On May 9, 2018, Pakistan saw historic demonstrations following Mr. Khan’s detention in connection with a purported corruption investigation.

Imran Khan’s party workers allegedly vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), Mianwali Airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi too was attacked by the mob for the first time.

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Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party termed the anti-terrorism court’s ruling an “absurd order” and declared that it would launch a protest.

The anti-terrorism court (ATC) at Lahore had earlier this week dismissed pre-arrest bail to Mr Khan in three cases related to the May 9 riots and allowed police his continued custody for interrogation.

In a detailed order issued here on Thursday, ATC Judge Khalid Arshad said: “An extraordinary concession of pre-arrest bail is meant for an innocent person and not the petitioner, Imran Khan Niazi, who hatched, materialised alleged criminal conspiracy along with the senior PTI leadership and protesters/accused having a common object to wage a war against the state to topple over the government.” The order said that Mr Khan not only incited people but also instructed leaders to create chaos, disturb law and order, and commit arson to pressure the military and government for his release. This was disclosed in statements from two prosecution witnesses, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

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“The pre-arrest bail of the petitioner has no merits and is hereby dismissed while withdrawing his already granted interim bail,” the judge said.

The judge further observed: A peaceful demonstrator becomes a “terrorist” when he hatches a criminal conspiracy, disseminates it and shares a common object with other accused, who, being armed, attack and attempt to damage state properties like Lahore Corps Commander House known as Jinnah House at Lahore, targeting government machinery … He loses his normal right to be a law-abiding citizen."

The order, quoting the special public prosecutor, said that a criminal conspiracy was hatched at Imran Khan’s Lahore Zaman Park residence on May 7 and 8 in which Mr Khan himself told the top PTI leadership regarding his apprehension of arrest and the reaction of launching protests and damage of military installations.

Reacting to the detailed ACT order, the PTI said, “The judgment contains no evidence of Imran Khan ordering May 9 violence. The judge while dismissing pre-arrest bails of Mr Khan is drawing inferences and assumptions.” The PTI pointed out in its statement, how previously the Supreme Court of Pakistan had termed the arrest of Imran Khan, illegal and added: “We will challenge the verdict of the Anti-Terrorism Court.” The anti-terrorist courts in other parts of the country, including Rawalpindi, Sargodha etc have dismissed the case accusing Imran Khan of being the main accused of instigating the May 9 violent incidents, based on the fact that there is no evidence provided establishing the prosecution’s point," the PTI said.

The party also claimed that since Mr Khan is in prison only in the Iddat case, “which is evidently coming to a conclusion” on the likely dismissal of rubbish claims by the complainant, it seems this is yet another politically motivated case to prolong the illegal incarceration of Mr Khan."

Meanwhile, the party’s Parliamentary Committee decided that it would raise its voice for Mr Khan and all the innocent prisoners at protests or rallies, starting the movement immediately.

“Parliamentary Leader Ms Zartaj Gul Wazir @zartajgulwazir presided over the discussion regarding the decisions made in the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee,” the PTI said in a post on its official X handle.

PTI core committee member Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi said on X: “Absurd Order. Judge has declared Imran Khan is not innocent. Note: trial is still going on and no conviction is on record in this case. How can Imran Khan be declared guilty before completion of Trial. Where will principle of law (everyone is innocent until proven guilty). (sic)”