PAKISTAN SLAPS TRAVEL BAN ON EX-PM KHAN AS 33 PTI SUPPORTERS SUBJECT TO A MILITARY TRIAL

Sat 27 May 2023:

33 people were turned over to the military by Pakistani authorities so they could be tried in military court for allegedly taking part in the violent protests on May 9, according to the interior minister.

Rana Sanaullah told reporters in the nation’s capital Islamabad that thousands of people had been detained as a result of the 499 first information reports (FIRs) that had been filed so far.

“So far, 499 FIRs (first information reports) have been registered across the country and only 88 were under the anti-terrorism act (ATA),” Sanaullah told reporters, broadcasted by state-run Pakistan Television.

He added that 3,946 people were arrested under the ATA, while 5,536 under other laws.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier said over 10,000 of his party workers and supporters were arrested by the government across the country.

However, Sanaullah claimed nearly 4,000 are in government custody, while 80% of 5,536, arrested under other laws, have been released on bail.

He also confirmed that so far, 19 people in Punjab province and 14 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were handed over to the military for trial in military courts.

After the UN Commission on Human Rights and other international rights organizations voiced alarm about the prosecution of civilian and political workers in military courts, he made his speech.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced his deep concern over the situation in Pakistan and claimed that the country’s hard-won progress and the rule of law are in grave danger.

“I am alarmed by the recent escalation of violence, and by reports of mass arrests carried out under problematic laws – arrests that may amount to arbitrary detention. Particularly disturbing are reports that Pakistan intends to revive the use of military courts to try civilians – which would contravene its international human rights law obligations,” he said.

However, Sanaullah clarified that the government has no intention to send all cases for trial in military courts.

Regarding the ban on Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Sanaullah said that so far, no decision has been taken to ban the PTI, however their legal team is working on it.

On May 9, after the arrest of Khan by the country’s National Accountability Bureau in alleged corruption case, which was later declared illegal by the country’s top court, had sparked protests by his supporters, and attacks on state and military installations.

Since then, thousands of suspects, including top PTI leaders have been detained, and the army says it will try the rioters under military laws.

Pakistan bans Khan from flying out

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s government has restricted former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife and hundreds of political aides from travelling abroad amid a standoff with the country’s powerful military, officials said.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), responsible for immigration and border control, put Khan’s name on the no-fly list, at least two officials confirmed to dpa news agency on Friday.

Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and more than 500 leaders and members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have also been added to the list, officials said.

“It is a standard practice in every case. All those who face court cases are barred from leaving the country,” one of the officials told dpa.

I want to thank the government for putting my name on the ECL as I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country.

If and when I do get an opportunity for a holiday, it will be in our…

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 26, 2023

Reacting to the government’s decision, Khan said he has no plan to leave the country.

Khan on Friday “thanked” the government for putting him on the no-fly list.

“I want to thank the government for putting my name on the ECL as I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country,” Khan tweeted.

“I have no plans to travel abroad, because I neither have any properties or businesses abroad nor even a bank account outside the country,” he tweeted in an apparent dig at politicians belonging to Pakistan’s ruling alliance who allegedly own homes abroad.

“If and when I do get an opportunity for a holiday, it will be in our northern mountains, my favorite place on earth,” he added.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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