ISLAMABAD: Another case has been registered against the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, this time for allegedly putting the “families of army officers at risk”.
The case was registered at Islamabad’s Ramna Police Station on April 6 based on a complaint lodged by Magistrate Manzoor Ahmed.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the PTI chief had used “inappropriate language” against military officers during one of his speeches, which led to the registration of the case. The FIR includes sections 138, 500, and 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Section 500 deals with defamation charges, which may lead to imprisonment for up to two years or a fine. Whereas section 505 deals with statements that may “cause or incite” an officer of the military to mutiny or create fear or alarm among the general public, which may lead them to commit an offence against the state.
Similarly, Section 138 may lead to imprisonment of up to six months or a fine for abetting an officer, soldier, sailor, or airman to an act of insubordination.
Imran Khan’s legal battle
The PTI chief has been embroiled in legal battles since his ouster as the prime minister in April last year and claims that the authorities have registered more than 100 cases against him across the country.
However, the police have told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that a total of 29 FIRs were registered against the PTI chief in Islamabad, including 28 by the police and one case by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
One of the FIRs had been terminated; seven were in the investigation phase, while 20 cases were under trial in courts.
This latest case adds to the already mounting legal troubles for the PTI chairman, who has been a vocal critic of the military establishment and has frequently accused them of meddling in the country’s politics.
The military has denied the allegations, and many experts believe that Imran Khan’s anti-establishment stance has put him at odds with the powerful military leadership.
The case against Imran Khan comes at a time when the country is gearing up for the upcoming general elections, scheduled to take place in 2023.
It remains to be seen how this latest legal battle will affect Imran Khan’s political fortunes and his party’s chances in the upcoming polls.