Imran Khan files plea in SC against party leaders “forced” departure, military trials
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has challenged the invoking of Article 245 in the Supreme Court (SC), urging the apex court to take action against “forced separation” of PTI leaders
In the petition submitted through attorney Hamid Khan, the Federation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other members of the ruling alliance, including Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Asif Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto, and Maulana Fazlur Rehman, have been named respondents.
In his petition, Imran said the arrests, investigations and trial of citizens under the Army Act 1952 were “unconstitutional” and amounts to negation of the Constitution, and independence of the judiciary.
Imran said that the “dismantling of PTI through forcible quitting of party membership and office are unconstitutional and void being against Article 17 of the Constitution”.
The PTI chairman urged the SC to order the constitution of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9 and 10.
The petition has also requested the apex court to stop the trial of civilians accused of attacking defense installations in military courts, terming it violation of fundamental rights.
Khan also accused Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam of creating rifts between PTI and military by “propagating” that the latter wanted to appoint army chief of his choice.
Moreover, the petition also prayed the SC to take action against “forced separation” of PTI leaders as many leaders including Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari and others parted ways with Khan over May 9 riots.
Talking about the ‘persecution’ of his party leaders, workers and supporters, Khan said that fundamental rights have been suspended in the country. “Over 10,000 workers of his party have been put in jail while around 25 innocent protesters were killed by the law enforcement agencies. Even the prisoners of war have some fundamental rights, but my workers have been denied,” he claimed.
