Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from office, now faces serious charges of “criminal conspiracy” that carry a maximum penalty of death. These charges relate to his alleged involvement in orchestrating the attack on army installations and inciting mutiny in Pakistan. A senior Punjab Police official made this announcement on Wednesday.
The charges against Imran Khan stem from widespread nationwide protests that erupted in Pakistan after his arrest by paramilitary Rangers on May 9 in connection with a corruption case. Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was later released on bail.
During the course of these protests, numerous military installations and government buildings, including the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, were subjected to damage or arson. Additionally, over 100 vehicles belonging to police and other security agencies were set ablaze.
Imran Khan, along with hundreds of PTI leaders and members, now faces accusations of being involved in attacking the Lahore Corps Commander House and Askari Tower in Lahore on May 9.
Addressing a press conference, Lahore police’s senior investigation officer, Anoosh Masood, stated that Imran Khan and other PTI leaders and members have been charged with “criminal conspiracy” for inciting their supporters to attack military and state installations on that fateful day.
Masood further revealed, “Besides section 120-B, Khan and others will face nine other offenses, including giving provocation with the intent to cause a riot, abetting mutiny, and attempting to wage war against Pakistan. A challan of the case has been prepared by the police investigators and prosecutors and will be submitted to the Anti-Terrorism Court Lahore.”
Imran Khan has been held in Attock Jail in Punjab province since August 5, 2023. Initially, he was arrested in the Toshakhana (gifts) case, which resulted in a three-year imprisonment. However, he was later granted bail when the higher court suspended the verdict. Subsequently, he faced re-arrest in the cipher case under the Official Secrets Act.
In the cipher case, it is alleged that a diplomatic document disappeared from Khan’s possession. Imran Khan contends that this document contained a threat from the United States to remove him from power. Notably, Khan has sought post-arrest bail in the cipher case through an application to the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
While Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi have been attending hearings in the cipher case, the involvement of PTI leader Asad Umar and former principal secretary Azam Khan is expected to be determined during the ongoing investigation.
These charges against the former prime minister mark a significant development in the ongoing legal and political saga surrounding Imran Khan, who continues to be a prominent figure in Pakistani politics despite his removal from office.
Sources By Agencies
