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LAHORE: Embattled former Prime Minister Imran Khan has said he had “no doubt” he would be tried in a military court and thrown in jail.

Khan has hinted previously at the military’s hand in a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party but his comments in an interview at his Lahore home on Saturday night were the most blunt yet.

“It is completely the establishment,” the former cricket hero told Reuters, when asked who was behind the crackdown. “Establishment obviously means the military establishment, because they are really now openly - I mean, it’s not even hidden now - they’re just out in the open.”

A spokesman for the military did not respond to a request for comment.

A bruising year-long standoff between Khan, Pakistan’s most popular leader according to polls, and the army came to a head when military buildings and property were ransacked last month, allegedly by his supporters.

Khan termed the violent protests, which erupted after he was briefly arrested, a “false flag operation” meant to target him.

Authorities have begun the process of trying dozens of people, including members of his party, suspected of involvement in the protests in military court - usually reserved for service members or those categorised as enemies of the state.

“That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” Khan said, adding that the military wanted to stop him from returning to power in elections due by November.

Imran will face military courts for planning May 9 attacks: Rana Sanaullah

He said about 150 criminal cases filed against him were frivolous and would get thrown out in any civilian court.

“So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me,” he said.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the military courts are meant for me,” said Khan, who is out on bail.

Khan said he has tried to contact the military for talks to find a way out of the current crisis but had got no response.

Khan said he was puzzled by the campaign against him.

“(I am) someone who’s been known in this country for 50 years, who’s probably won all the awards in this country and probably the most well-known Pakistani, and suddenly being treated as a sort of alien, as an enemy of the state.”

A bruising year-long standoff between Khan, Pakistan’s most popular leader according to polls, and the army came to a head when military buildings and property were ransacked last month, allegedly by his supporters.

Khan termed the violent protests, which erupted after he was briefly arrested, a “false flag operation” meant to target him.

Authorities have begun the process of trying dozens of people, including members of his party, suspected of involvement in the protests in military court - usually reserved for service members or those categorised as enemies of the state.

“That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” Khan said, adding that the military wanted to stop him from returning to power in elections due by November.

He said about 150 criminal cases filed against him were frivolous and would get thrown out in any civilian court.

“So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me,” he said.

Comments

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Haroon Jun 05, 2023 05:54am
According to what law a civilian could be tried in military court
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Tulukan Mairandi Jun 05, 2023 08:48am
A stern warning to all to never ever lay a finger on Jinnah (peace be upon him) house or risk bonecrushing skullcracking and bodydeforming punishments - like what Imran will end up receiving.
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Tulukan Mairandi Jun 05, 2023 10:34am
@Haroon , army act
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RTD Lt col Afzal K Jun 05, 2023 11:46am
If proven guilty, hang him in public.
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Pakistani1 Jun 05, 2023 12:01pm
The boy who always cried wolf. He conveniently forgets his own past deeds which have led him to the current situation.
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Kashif ALI Jun 05, 2023 12:02pm
@Haroon , This is constitutional amendment that was endorsed by Supreme Court too. 21st Amendment. The amendment established speedy trial military courts for terrorist offenses, waging war against Pakistan, and acts threatening the security of Pakistan. The duration of these courts is two years. The decision to amend the constitution came after the 2014 Peshawar school massacre.
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Kashif ALI Jun 05, 2023 12:02pm
@Tulukan Mairandi, No, I responded to Haroon. It is 21st Amendment in the wake of Army Public School massacre.
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Pakistani1 Jun 05, 2023 12:02pm
As a PM there were appeals to him to stop trial of civilians by Military courts. He ignored and his ministers commented that those people must have done some thing to deserve the treatment. Alas, now his own inaction is coming to haunt him.
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Pakistani1 Jun 05, 2023 12:07pm
As a PM, IK received appeals to him to help recover missing civilians. Several PTI officials and journalists commented that those people must have done some thing to deserve the treatment.
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KU Jun 05, 2023 02:38pm
And what about money laundering and corruption cases by the characters in government? Are these not crimes against the economy of country? Where is the rest of the list of Pakistanis named in Panama papers and their source of money? History often narrates about extinct civilizations led by leaders who were unjust and focused on wealth accumulation, we are probably waiting for the same fate.
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Shahid Jun 05, 2023 03:08pm
What happened to the constitution of Pakistan? The Generals have abrogated it again!
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Baber Khan Jun 06, 2023 10:22am
Ahh.... crying
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Shahid Jun 07, 2023 11:25am
Military courts? Why not hold trials for the corrupt officers and those who have committed espionage?
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