33 people handed over to military for trial over May 9 riots, says Sanaullah
Pakistan
Police registered 499 cases against arsonists and saboteurs across the country
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Friday 33 people involved in May 9 riots had been handed over to the military for trial and only six FIRs out of 499 cases could be tried in the military courts.
"Nineteen people from Punjab and 14 from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will be tried in military courts," he told a presser.
The minister said the culprits were suspected of attacking army installations during protests after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. “These people trespassed on and entered sensitive defence installations, so the question is how did they manage to get there,” Mr Sanaullah said.
Dispelling the rumour that all trials would take place in the military courts, Mr Sanaullah said the military would investigate the cases but not take cognisance of these. "They (military courts) will see whether the Army Act or the Official Secrets Act is applicable or not.”
According to the interior minister, nearly 4,000 people were arrested throughout Pakistan under the Anti-Terrorism Act out of which 2,588 were arrested in Punjab and 1,099 in KP.
He said 88 FIRs have been registered under ATA and the remaining 411 under other laws. In other cases, as many 5,536 people were arrested and eighty percent of them had been released on bail.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had clearly stated that those who were innocent in connection with the violent protests in the country on May 9 won't be punished. “The premier is focused on this that no innocent should be harmed,” the minister said.
Rana Sanaullah said the people had rejected the politics of anarchy and chaos created by Imran Khan. He said the violent acts were planned by the PTI chairman and in this regard he also alluded to the speeches of Imran Khan.
Responding to a question, the Interior Minister said the assemblies would complete their tenure and the elections will be held in accordance with the constitution. He said the general elections would be held simultaneously across the country.
