LAHORE: The federal government has decided to prosecute women and minors involved in attacks on civil and military installations during the violent protests following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on May 9.
Riots erupted almost across the country after the arrest of the PTI chairman in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case on May 9, which left at least eight people dead and several others injured, after authorities called the P Thousands of TI workers were forced to arrest.
During the protests, miscreants attacked civil and military installations including the Corps Commander House (Jinah House) in Lahore Cantt and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The army has declared May 9 as “Black Day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared May 9 as the darkest day in the country’s history and announced to prosecute the accused in military courts.
The National Security Committee also confirmed the decision of the higher authorities to take action against the rioters under the Army Act.
102 civilians are in the custody of the army.
On June 23, the federal government told the Supreme Court that a total of 102 suspects arrested from different parts of the country for their alleged involvement in the May 9 tragedy are in army custody.
Sources familiar with the development said that women and persons under the age of 18 involved in attacks on civilian and military installations will be prosecuted in civil courts.
Sources further said that during the proceedings in the military courts, the accused will have the right to engage a lawyer of his choice. The accused should be allowed to visit their families once a week.
In addition, sources claimed that the government is considering trying the former prime minister, who was ousted in April last year, in a military court, while some ministers are opposing the proposal.
