Ex-Pak PM Imran Khan Might Face Military Trial: Defence Minister Asif

Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif said the open trial was necessary to inform the public of the crimes allegedly committed by Imran Khan and his party, PTI. (Image: X)

Khawaja Asif said the trial of Imran Khan, if tried at a military court, will still be an open trial.

Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif hinted that the former prime minister of the nation Imran Khan might face a military trial. He said if Khan, the supremo of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is tried at a military court, the trial will be an open trial.

“The nation must know about the sinister designs of PTI against the security institutions. If the former PM’s case refers to a military court then open trial is necessary to tell the public about the PTI leader,” Asif told broadcaster ARY News.

Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted after falling out with the military establishment, which wields huge influence over civilian politics.

In opposition, more than 200 court cases were brought against him. He was first briefly arrested in May 2023 — sparking nationwide unrest, some of which targeted military installations.

Asif also said Khan and former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed had ‘a common goal’. He said their relationship continued even after May 9, 2023.

Meanwhile, Hameed, the spymaster, has been arrested by the military ahead of his court martial in connection with the Top City housing scheme scandal in August 2024.

“The two (PTI founder and Faiz Hameed) had a common goal, which is why they had a relationship,” Asif said.

He also asserted that the PTI is responsible for the unrest that happened on May 9.

Pakistan police raided the headquarters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s party in July. The Interior Ministry said PTI’s digital media wing was raided by Islamabad police who arrested Raoof Hasan, a founding member of the party and head of its press department.

“PTI is involved in anti-state propaganda,” the ministry accused in a statement released after the raid.

Khan has been jailed for nearly a year, but in July an Islamabad judge overturned his illegal marriage conviction while the Supreme Court awarded PTI more parliamentary seats — a move set to make them the largest party in the Assembly.