Web Desk
In a press conference held on Friday, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah addressed the ongoing legal proceedings related to the May 9 vandalism incidents, dispelling misconceptions created by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Sanaullah emphasized that out of nearly 500 cases filed, only six will be tried under the Army Act, contrary to the perception that all arrestees would face military courts.
Sanaullah sought to provide clarity amidst the spread of various analyses and conspiracies surrounding the government’s crackdown on individuals allegedly involved in the mayhem. He shared specific details regarding the legal actions taken against the vandals who attacked government and military installations. A total of 499 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the widespread violent protests.
Among the registered cases, 88 were filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), while 411 were filed under different charges. In relation to these cases, a total of 3,944 suspects were apprehended, with 2,588 arrests made in Punjab and 1,099 by KP authorities. Additionally, 5,536 arrests were made in other unrelated cases, of which 80% have already been released on bail.
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Addressing the concerns surrounding the involvement of military courts, Sanaullah categorically denied the rumors that all cases would be transferred to such courts. He clarified that only seven out of the 499 cases are currently being processed for trial in military courts. Sanaullah emphasized that this measure is limited to Punjab and KP, with no plans to extend it elsewhere in the country.
The interior minister reassured the public that innocent individuals would not be wrongly implicated in the cases. However, he emphasized that those responsible for instigating, planning, and perpetuating the violent acts on May 9 and 10 would face legal consequences.
Sanaullah then explained the procedure for determining whether a case would be transferred to military authorities. Violations of the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952 or the Official Secrets Act 1923 would be assessed to ascertain the eligibility for trial under army laws. The laws come into play when individuals trespass, suggest, or provoke others to trespass prohibited areas owned by sensitive agencies responsible for defending the country.
Prior to concluding the press conference, Sanaullah highlighted the public’s rejection of the politics of anarchy and chaos propagated by the PTI, accusing them of orchestrating the violent acts and leaving behind substantial evidence.
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