ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan announced to set up a single-member committee on Saturday to investigate the role played by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party who approved amendments in the Pakistan Army Act, 1952, in the upper house of parliament before initiating action against them.
The country’s senate endorsed the army act amendments on Thursday to deal with social media campaigns against the armed forces and keep serving and retired military officials from participating in political activities immediately after retirement.
Khan, who was ousted from power in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April last year before beginning to criticize the army for not preventing his downfall, was recently accused of instigating attacks on government and military installation in Pakistan after his arrest from a court in Islamabad on May 9.
Some of his PTI supporters, who participated in the protests that followed his arrest, were later detained to be tried in military courts.
The ex-premier appointed one of his close aides Senator Shibli Faraz to launch the probe while presiding over the core committee meeting of his political party earlier today.
“Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman [Imran Khan] approved formal investigation into the role of PTI members in approving amendments to the army act,” said a Twitter post shared by the party. “A one-member commission comprising Senator Shibli Faraz will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.”
It added that Faraz would complete the investigation without delay and submit his report to Khan for his consideration.
“In the light of the recommendations of the Shibli Faraz Commission, disciplinary action will be taken against those guilty of deviating from the party policy,” the social media post said.
The core committee meeting also held detailed discussions on various issues related to the country’s political situation, including its party-level preparations in the forthcoming elections and the overall political strategy.
