LAHORE , May 25, 2023: A military court on Thursday commenced the trial of the hooligans involved in the attack on the residence of the corps commander that took place on May 9.
The Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) directed the surrender of 16 individuals involved in the violent incident to the military. Subsequently, the attackers of Jinnah House, the official residence of the corps commander, were presented before a military court.
The commanding officer sought the detention of the 16 suspects under military law. The ATC approved the request and ordered the perpetrators to be handed over to the military. The defendants, including former provincial assembly member Mian Akram Usman, are expected to face trial under the Army Act of 1952.
As per the court’s decision, the prosecution did not oppose the commander’s plea, leading the court to direct the superintendent of the Camp Jail to transfer the 16 inmates to the commander for further proceedings.
Sources said the suspects were Ammar Zohaib, Ali Iftikhar, Ali Raza, Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Umair, Muhammad Rahim, Ziaul Rehman, Waqas Ali, Rais Ahmed, Faisal Arshad, Muhammad Bilal, Fahim Haider, Arzam Junaid, Mian Akram Usman, Muhammad Hasher Khan and Hasan Shakir.
Earlier, the National Assembly on May 22 passed a resolution vowing to try rioters involved in the May 9 attacks on army and state installations under existing laws, including the Army Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The resolution moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif was passed by the House, and a number of lawmakers voted in favour of it.
The prime minister thanked the House for adopting a resolution against May 9 riots and explained that the cases pertaining to the attack on civilian infrastructure would be tried under anti-terrorism law but those concerning the military installations would be heard by the military courts and that no special laws were being promulgated for the purpose.