Punjab Government Clarifies Imran Khan's Trial Status

The Punjab government has stated that it is not considering sending former Prime Minister Imran Khan's cases to a military court. Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmad Barth clarified during a press conference that no such proposal is under review, despite previous statements from Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

The Punjab government of Pakistan clarified on Friday that it is not currently considering transferring the cases of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to a military court for trial.

Punjab Law Minister Malik Sohaib Ahmad Barth made the announcement during a press conference in Lahore, stating that no proposal is under review by the Punjab Cabinet or the Punjab Law Department.

Barth affirmed that no request or proposal has been sent from the military to the Punjab government. Earlier, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar hinted that if needed, the Punjab government would decide whether to refer Khan’s cases to a military court.

“The prosecution of the May 9 cases is being handled by the Punjab government. We will decide whether to refer them to military courts,” Barth said. A central government spokesperson suggested that trials concerning the May 9 violence might invoke the Army Act.