A top Pakistani minister said on Wednesday that those involved in attacks on army installations in the wake of former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest would be tried under the stringent military laws, amid concerns expressed by the rights groups. Addressing a press conference, information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said scores of people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in arson attacks and vandalism on May 9 following former premier Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises. The minister said it was the state’s responsibility to arrest and punish the culprits.
“Attackers will be tried under the relevant civil and military laws,” she said, adding that the National Security Committee has also “categorically vowed to take strict action against them,” she said.
She said that martyrs’ graveyards were attacked which was akin to showing enmity towards the country.
“We have the video evidence and we will not spare anyone who did this,” she said.
When asked if Khan would also be tried under the army law, she said he would be tried by the “relevant courts”.
As government officials press to use the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act against those responsible for violence, local and international rights bodies have expressed concern. Amnesty International and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan issued separate statements on Tuesday and raised an alarm at the possibility of trial under military rules.
Dinushika Dissanayake, Amnesty’s deputy regional director for South Asia, said that trying civilians in military courts was contrary to international law. Dissanayake accused the Pakistani government of using military law as “an intimidation tactic, designed to crack down on dissent by exercising fear of an institution that has never been held to account for its overreach.”
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said civilians arrested should be tried in civil instead of military courts.
“While those responsible for arson and damaging public and private property during the recent protests should be held to account, they remain entitled to due process,” the group said in a statement.