Army hints at military trial for Imran

ISPR chief claims army ‘does not follow political agenda’, not opposed to any political party
• General Chaudhry says 193 security personnel, 90 ‘extremists’ among 30,000 IBOs killed this year.  Asks citizens to take more steps to curb terrorism.

ISLAMABAD: The Army on Thursday hinted at a military trial against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, warning that using military personnel for personal or political gain invites legal action.

Army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a media briefing that “under military law, anyone who uses personnel under the Army Act for personal or political gain and there is evidence of such actions, shall be punished.” The law will take its course against”.  Office of Inter-Services Public Relations located at General Headquarters.

In response to a question about a possible military trial against Imran Khan, the general tried to sidestep the question by saying that the matter was under hearing and the journalist’s question was fictitious.  However, it also outlined the circumstances under which a civilian could be prosecuted under military law.

The spokesman’s statement appeared to refer to Section 2(d)(i) of the Army Act, which extends the scope of the Act to civilians who attempt to compromise military personnel’s duty or loyalty to the government.  The Army Act, which regulates the conduct and responsibilities of military personnel, also establishes the framework for military trials and outlines the offenses and procedures applicable to service personnel.

Although Mr Khan’s military trial had long been speculated, rumors gained momentum after he sought the intervention of the Islamabad High Court to prevent a possible court-martial.

Imran Khan’s request was made due to concerns that he might be involved in the May 9 violence, for which an FIR was registered against him in Rawalpindi.  His anxiety was compounded by the arrest and speculation that former spy chief Faiz Hameed might turn out to be a sanctioner against him.  These concerns were supported by a statement from the federal government’s legal affairs spokesman, which said Mr Khan could be prosecuted under the Pakistan Army Act 1952.
In response to a separate question, General Chaudhry recalled an ISPR statement on the arrest of retired General Hameed, which highlighted allegations that the former intelligence chief had colluded with certain political elements for personal gain. The constitution and laws were violated to advance the interests.

When asked if former ISI chief Naveed Mukhtar and former army chief Qamar Bajwa had a role in the promotion of General Hameed and his subsequent appointment as spy chief, the spokesman blamed the then prime minister. “The boss is the prime minister,” said the ISI director general.  His claim meant that Imran Khan had appointed him to this post.  He also warned against linking other officers with him without proof.

The head of ISPR said that the matter was sent to the army through the Ministry of Defense as an expression of confidence in the accountability system of the army.

He said a ‘court of enquiry’ was set up in April this year and a field general court-martial was ordered in view of “solid evidence” in the case.

“Court-martial proceedings have been initiated against the officer,” the spokesman said, adding that no time frame could be given for the completion of the process.  “No one involved in this case will be able to escape the grip of the law,” he added.

He said that the army is not against any political party and does not support any, adding that the army maintains a professional relationship with the government as per the constitution and law.

No political leanings.

According to the spokesman, in view of its national role, the army is neither following any political agenda nor does it have political biases and preferences.

In support of his argument, General Chaudhry said that if someone in the army acts for personal gain and promotes a specific political agenda for personal gain, then the system of internal accountability is triggered.

Counter Terrorism Operations

Speaking about the counter-terrorism operations, General Chaudhry said that 32,173 intelligence-based operations were conducted in the first eight months of this year, including 4,021 operations in the previous month alone, resulting in 90 alleged casualties. Likes were killed.

He estimated that the army, along with the police, intelligence and other law enforcement agencies, conducts more than 130 operations daily.  The spokesman said that 193 soldiers were martyred during the last eight months and vowed to continue this war until the end of terrorism.

Responding to a question about the ongoing need for operations and the persistence of terrorism, Lt Gen Chaudhry indirectly criticized the civilian authorities, suggesting that their insufficient efforts were a major factor in the ongoing threat of terrorism.

General Chaudhry said that since the start of anti-terror operations, the army has successfully cleared an area of ​​about 46,000 square kilometers, eliminating all no-go areas and terrorist strongholds.  “We have completed the defined and captured phases of our counterinsurgency strategy, and are now conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to sustain this progress,” he said.

However, he lamented that the construction and relocation phases, which were the responsibility of the local and provincial governments, have not yet been completed.  This has resulted in some areas requiring re-clearance operations.  “In some areas, the writ of the government is maintained only through military operations,” he said, stressing that prolonged military intervention has its own effects and can create a negative narrative about the military. is

The spokesman emphasized that as per the original and revised National Action Plans (NAP) and ‘Operation

According to the spokesman, in view of its national role, the army is neither following any political agenda nor does it have political biases and preferences.

In support of his argument, General Chaudhry said that if someone in the army acts for personal gain and promotes a specific political agenda for personal gain, then the system of internal accountability is triggered.

Counter Terrorism Operations

Speaking about the counter-terrorism operations, General Chaudhry said that 32,173 intelligence-based operations were conducted in the first eight months of this year, including 4,021 operations in the previous month alone, resulting in 90 alleged casualties. Likes were killed.

He estimated that the army, along with the police, intelligence and other law enforcement agencies, conducts more than 130 operations daily.  The spokesman said that 193 soldiers were martyred during the last eight months and vowed to continue this war until the end of terrorism.

Responding to a question about the ongoing need for operations and the persistence of terrorism, Lt Gen Chaudhry indirectly criticized the civilian authorities, suggesting that their insufficient efforts were a major factor in the ongoing threat of terrorism.

General Chaudhry said that since the start of anti-terror operations, the army has successfully cleared an area of ​​about 46,000 square kilometers, eliminating all no-go areas and terrorist strongholds.  “We have completed the defined and captured phases of our counterinsurgency strategy, and are now conducting intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to sustain this progress,” he said.

However, he lamented that the construction and relocation phases, which were the responsibility of the local and provincial governments, have not yet been completed.  This has resulted in some areas requiring re-clearance operations.  “In some areas, the writ of the government is maintained only through military operations,” he said, stressing that prolonged military intervention has its own effects and can create a negative narrative about the military. is

The spokesman emphasized that as per the original and revised National Action Plans (NAP) and ‘Operation Azam Isthikam’, civilian leadership is required to strengthen the criminal justice system, eradicate the nexus of terrorism and crime and develop Actions should also be taken.  A strong narrative against extremism and terrorism.

Lt Gen Chaudhry further said that cross-border facilitation of TTP has increased after the return of Taliban to power in Afghanistan.  He said that attention is being paid to the issue of cross-border facilitation of terrorists.

, civilian leadership is required to strengthen the criminal justice system, eradicate the nexus of terrorism and crime and develop Actions should also be taken.  A strong narrative against extremism and terrorism.

Lt Gen Chaudhry further said that cross-border facilitation of TTP has increased after the return of Taliban to power in Afghanistan.  He said that attention is being paid to the issue of cross-border facilitation of terrorists.