Islamabad — In the latest development, the Pakistan Army has threatened a military trial against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, if required, which would certainly highlight the fact that misuse of military personnel for personal or political gains will have to be tried in courts of law. Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said this while talking to the media representatives at ISPR office.
Imran Khan under Possible Military Trial
During the presser, Lt Gen Chaudhry was asked if Imran Khan would be court-martialed. He first skirted a straight answer but then went on to state that under military law, civilians can also be tried if found compromising the job and duties of military personnel. That appears to point at Section 2(d)(i) of the Army Act that allows the military trial of civilians under specific conditions.
This fear of a military trial originated from an attempt by Imran Khan to seek the intervention of the Islamabad High Court to avoid such an eventuality. His apprehensions were tied to the arrest of former spy chief Faiz Hameed and the speculations thereafter that Hameed might testify against him. All this has just increased the speculations of court-martial under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
Details on Gen Faiz Hameed’s Case
Lt Gen Chaudhry gave the example of Gen Faiz Hameed, who was arrested “when accused of constitutional and legal transgressions in self-serving political gains”. The army, on the basis of an inquiry and adequate evidence, convicted Hameed of a Field General Court Martial. The spokesperson explained court-martial proceedings are underway “and no timeframe can be given as to when they will be concluded.”.
The general reiterated that the military stays neutral in respect to political affairs and added that the army is committed to professional relations with the government according to the Constitution. He repeated how the role of the army is unbiased and never a proponent or supporter of any political party or doctrine.
Anti-Terrorism Operations and Security Arrangements
Lt Gen Chaudhry spoke about the Pakistan Army’s indiscriminate and across-the-board counterterrorism operations. He said that during the first eight months of this year, more than 32,000 IBOs were carried out. The operations neutralized 90 suspected extremists, he said. As many as 130-plus operations are undertaken daily by the military in coordination with the police and intelligence agencies.
He further informed that 193 soldiers have been martyred during the last eight months. Clearing and holding ground remains part of the military’s current counter-insurgency campaign, and the attempt to consolidate gains has taken the shape of intelligence-based operations. On the other hand, Lt Gen Chaudhry expressed dismay over the insufficient measures taken by the civilian leadership in the build-up and transition phases of the National Action Plan, for which the military has to remain engaged continuously.
Cross-Border Terrorism and Regional Security
Lt Gen Chaudhry pointed out that facilitation across the border for the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan had increased manifold since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan. He allayed concerns in this regard and said that the military was dealing with it and working out the threats emanating from across the border through counter-terrorism.
The briefing, however, showed the military’s resolve to accomplish national security assignments amid emphasis on a rising role for the civilian leadership in combating terrorism and enacting reforms in the judicial system.