Home Department Proposes One-Man Tribunal to Investigate Charges of Assassination Attempt on Imran Khan

The Punjab Home Department has recently proposed to appoint a one-man tribunal to investigate the serious allegations of assassination against the former prime minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan. The summary was moved by Punjab additional chief secretary (home) Shakeel Ahmed, who requested to place the matter before the provincial cabinet for approval of the appointment of the tribunal to begin investigations into the ‘serious’ threats to the life of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman as alleged by him off and on.

The Punjab government initiated this move when the former PM repeatedly asserted that a plot had been hatched for his assassination, alleging that the sitting prime minister and the interior minister were behind the conspiracy. The issue further drew attention from the federal and provincial governments when Imran Khan and his senior party leaders accused some senior officers of the law-enforcement agencies, particularly police officers serving against top positions, of potentially playing a ‘key role’ in his assassination.

A month back in the first week of March, PTI chief Imran Khan reportedly took up the same matter with the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP). Through a letter, he sought intervention of the CJP for adequate security arrangements for his appearance in the court due to the possible assassination attempt on him. He alleged that the current premier and the interior minister were involved in the failed assassination attempt on him. He further informed the CJP about ‘more such grave threats’ to his life, saying that another plot was being hatched for his assassination.

Later, many other senior leaders of the PTI also alleged that the party chairman was facing ‘serious’ life threats and accused the provincial and federal government high-ups in this regard. Therefore, the Punjab government proposed to constitute a one-man tribunal to conduct an inquiry into assassination threats as alleged by PTI chairman Imran Khan.

The proposed one-man tribunal will be established under section 3 of the Punjab Tribunals of the Inquiry Ordinance1969 and will be tasked with the purpose of making an inquiry with the Terms of References (TORs) to investigate assassination threats as alleged by PTI chief Imran Khan, to ascertain the fact(s) and cause(s) of the assassination threats, to fix responsibility, and to make recommendations to avert such incidents in future. The government intends to ensure that such serious allegations are thoroughly investigated, and strict action is taken either way.

In summary, the Punjab Home Department has proposed the appointment of a one-man tribunal to investigate the serious allegations of assassination against the former PM Imran Khan. The move was initiated after repeated assertions by Khan of a plot to assassinate him and accusations against some senior officers of the law-enforcement agencies. The proposed one-man tribunal will be tasked with investigating the assassination threats, ascertaining the facts and causes, fixing responsibility, and making recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future. The government aims to ensure that such serious allegations are thoroughly investigated, and appropriate actions are taken.