The Pakistan army has implied that former prime minister Imran Khan may face a military trial, warning that anyone using military personnel for political gains could be subject to legal action.
This comes amid ongoing speculation about Khan's potential court-martial following his alleged involvement in the May 9 violence, which were a series of violent riots in Pakistan in 2023.
During a media briefing on Thursday, Lieutenant general Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military's spokesperson, outlined the conditions under which civilians, like Khan, could be tried under military law, reports Dawn.
Though he avoided directly confirming Khan’s military trial, he referred to the Army Act, which allows for legal action against civilians who compromise the duty or allegiance of military personnel.
Additionally, Chaudhry addressed the arrest of former spy chief Faiz Hameed, stressing that allegations against the former intelligence chief were tied to advancing political interests.
He said that the army's internal accountability system was robust, stating that a court of inquiry into Hameed's actions had led to a Field General Court Martial.
Rumors of Khan's possible military trial gained momentum after he sought protection from the Islamabad High Court, fearing he might be implicated in the Rawalpindi violence and arrested.
Khan's concerns were heightened by speculation that Hameed could testify against him.
Regarding former ISI chief Naveed Mukhtar and ex-army chief Qamar Bajwa's involvement in Hameed's rise to his position, Chaudhry placed responsibility on the then-prime minister, implying that Khan had influenced Hameed's appointment.
