Anti-terrorism Court has approved the request to hand over 16 individuals accused of vandalising Jinnah House to army officials in order to try them under military law.

The request was made by the commanding officer Irfan Athar. The 16 individuals including former MPA Mian Akram Usman will be handed over to the officer.

The other accused are Ammar Zohaib, Ali Iftikhar, Ali Raza, Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Umair, Muhammad Rahim, Zia-ur-Rehman, Waqas Ali, Rais Ahmed, Faisal Irshad, Muhammad Bilal Hussain, Faheem Haider, Arzam Junaid, Mohammad Hasher Khan, and Hasan Shakir.

According to the commanding officer, the accused have been found guilty under Sections 3, 7, and 9 of the Official Secrets Act. They can be tried under the Army Act 1952.

In the verdict, the ATC judge stated that the prosecution have no objection to the commander’s request, the Superintendent of Camp Jail should hand over the 16 accused to the Commanding Officer for further action.

They will be trailed in a special court.