Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan petitioned the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, pleading with it to take suo motu notice of the undeclared martial law that has been enacted in some areas of the nation as well as the ongoing, violent crackdown on his party.
Imran has asked the Supreme Court to look into the government’s decision to invite the assistance of the armed forces in the Federal Capital Territory, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) in the purported exercise of powers under Article 245 of the Constitution.
This request was made through Imran’s attorney, Hamid Khan.
Additionally, Imran begged the SC to create a panel headed by an SC justice to look into the circumstances of his arrest on May 9 and any following incidents.
Notably, proceedings against 16 “miscreants” who reportedly participated in damaging military posts and insulting martyr memorials after the former prime minister’s detention are slated to be heard by the military courts.
The plea raised several issues before the highest court, including the manner of Imran’s detention, which the SC had already ruled was illegal, as well as the use of the Army Act of 1952 and the Official Secrets Act of 1923 against civilian offenders.
According to the petition, putting civilians in military courts would be equivalent to denying them their rights to life, due process, and a fair trial, as well as their dignity as people and the equal protection of the law.
Additionally, it argues that judicial action should be taken to address the deliberate, malafide, contumacious disregard for court rulings made by the SC regarding the holding of elections.
It condemned as unconstitutional the arrests and detentions of PTI party members, supporters, and employees under the Maintenance of Public Order provisions.
