Imran: Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif Backs Military Trial Of Imran Khan Supporters Detained Over Riots – Times of India

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s coalition government, which has just a couple of months left in office, has backed the powerful military’s decision to try Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf supporters and officials under martial law for attacks on security facilities and assets in several cities last week following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in an alleged corruption case.
The government has validated the trial of rioters and arsonists under the Army Law and the Official Secrets Law, the army’s media wing announced after a meeting of top generals on Monday.

The move brought the country to a head with the military entering the political crisis. The military has directly ruled Pakistan for more than half of the 75 years since the country gained independence.
For the embattled prime minister and his alliance partners, supporting the army’s counterattack against the PTI appears to be a safe option, considering the coalition’s reluctance to participate in elections anytime soon. The government has yet to implement the Supreme Court order to hold elections in Punjab province on May 14.
The prime minister tweeted Wednesday that the riotous attack on the state, its symbols and sensitive facilities was sparked by ImranSpeeches from last year. “He has relentlessly slandered and attacked the armed forces and the Chief of the Army in office and very cunningly prepared his cult with the slogans of”haqeeqi azadi“(real freedom) with the aim of inciting them to the violence that we witnessed on May 9,” he posted on Twitter.

Imran has been demanding new elections since he was ousted in a vote of no confidence in April last year. He has filed his removal and a litany of around 150 charges against him as part of a campaign against him by Shehbaz, the United States and the Pakistani military, a claim all three deny.
The government’s support for the military trial of PTI supporters detained for riots is seen as an attempt to tie up Imran, as it has failed to do so even after implicating him in cases involving sedition, murder, terrorism and corruption.
The PTI’s success after the Supreme Court ordered Imran’s release was brief because more than 7,000 of its members, including senior officials, were imprisoned allegedly at the behest of the military.
Those released have supposedly promised not to participate in the PTI protests. The party also saw a wave of resignations, including four lawmakers.
However, the defiant PTI chief blamed intelligence agencies for orchestrating attacks against military and government assets. “We have ample evidence to present to any investigation that the arson and, in some places, the shootings were carried out by men from the intelligence agencies who wanted to cause chaos and blame the PTI to justify the crackdown,” Imran said.