LAHORE: A day after former prime minister Imran Khan asserted that PTI workers cannot be tried in military courts, ruling PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz on Saturday fully supported the trial of those involved in the May 9 attacks under the Army Act.

“I fully endorse the trial of the May 9 arsonists in the military courts. Although these cases should go to the civilian courts, but they are facilitating the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders,” she said while addressing the party’s ulema wing here on Saturday.

The PML-N chief organiser said attacking the military installations was a heinous crime and punishment should also be accordingly. “Why are they objecting to military courts.... see the civilian courts are giving bails and stays to the PTI leaders. How come we trust them (civilian courts). These courts’ orders have become a joke,” she lambasted.

She said what the PTI did never happened in the history of the country. “We too had concerns about the role of the establishment but we never acted the way the PTI did,” she said.

She questioned how the Chief Justice of Pakistan could grant bail to PTI chief Imran Khan while he was already on physical remand. “These courts are giving blanket bail to the PTI leadership,” she said.Maryam Nawaz also warned former CJP Asif Saeed Khosa that he would be held accountable soon. “Khosa is hiding these days but he too will face the music soon,” the daughter of PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif declared. “All those judges will face the music who are facilitating Imran Khan,” she pledged. The participants started clapping when she said PTI workers attacked military installations.

Maryam Nawaz said she had seen the video in which training was imparted to women in Zaman Park. “Imran Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi’s video hoisting uniform of army officer and PTI leader Yasmin Rashid audio proof of taking protesters to the Jinnah House was proof of the PTI’s plan to attack army installations,” she said and added today Mr Khan was facing reversal of fortunes.

On the other hand, the PTI chief said on Friday the law relating to holding trials of civilians under military control lapsed in 2019 and military installation came under attack -- only the Corps Commander House Lahore was violated.

Mr Khan said the PTI is being pitted against the army under a well-planned conspiracy and results may not be good for the country, the former premier warned.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2023