The federal government’s constitutional amendment, once approved, would lead to a military trial for former prime minister Imran Khan, claims journalist Javed Chaudhry.

“Amendments are being made to it the law and the constitutional package will have it like if you proceed from a certain level or cross conditions, then whether you are a civilian, prime minister or minister, diplomat, or anyone you will be tried in a military court,” he said while appearing on Aaj News show Rubarro on Friday.

“The provisions in the military trial as per law are being modified that’s why it is being delayed. The new legislation will have things like that. When it will be done, Khan’s military trial will be held.”

Khan has moved the Islamabad High Court to prevent his possible military custody and trial following former Inter-Services Intelligence director general Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed’s arrest last month. In August, the military’s media wing reported that Hameed had been taken into military custody and the process of field general court martial had been initiated against him concerning the Top City housing scheme scandal.

On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court sought clarification from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the potential military trial of Khan.

When asked why the intended legislation was being delayed, Chaudhry claimed that it was because of the purported contact between the former prime minister and the establishment to postpone the August 22 rally.

“It was hoped that matters will settle after this, but when Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur spoke, it seemed like, he was a spoiler.”

He went on to add that the government would inform the high court that it does not have any intention to try Khan in the military court, except for what happens in the future.

Chaudhry, who hosts Kal Tak on Express News, claimed that the legislation got late because of “multiple issues” including a green signal from Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa over the judicial package.

He was of the view that if CJP Isa refused the package then senior puisne judge Justice Mansoor Ali Shah would benefit from it, increasing his tenure to six years. “So, the government is insecure that the CJP will refuse it or resign.”

When asked whether the government has the required two-thirds majority, he stated earlier that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman sided with the ruling coalition but later switched sides as the party wanted the governorship in case imposed in the province.

“The government is reaching out to many political parties to ensure three votes in the Senate to get it passed from the House,” Chaudhry said, “in this scenario, Fazl is the beneficiary, without him neither the government nor the opposition can run.”

Governor rule in KP

The columnist also claimed that the government wants to impose governor rule and emergency in KP following the security situation. For this reason, he alleged all MNAs and senators stayed in Islamabad to have their approval from the joint session of Parliament.

According to Chaudhry, Fazl wants the governor’s seat and does not want PPP’s Faisal Karim Kundi to impose such a decision.

He added that a constitutional amendment and the emergency can be imposed through Parliament’s joint session.

“The Constitutional amendment is not person specific rather it is a blanket for everyone which will cover bureaucrats, armed forces chief, and chief justices of all high courts. If it is approved, then the retirement age will be increased by three years.”

He was of the view that the government was waiting for the appropriate situation to table the bill.

Drawing room gossips

In response to a query over claims that Hameed would blame Khan for all the wrongdoings, he said that the former spymaster was in contact with YouTubers who are making anti-army statements by living outside.

Chaudhry alleged that Hameed was providing them with inside information via his mobile phone. “It is almost off the record confirmed.”

While describing it as “unconfirmed reports and drawing room gossips”, the journalists said that Gandapur, along with Hameed, went to the Adiala Jail to call on Khan for a “secret meeting”.

He added that institutions were not aware of this, but when they got to know people involved in arranging and facilitating such a meeting were arrested. “So, Gandapur is worried and he had contact with Hameed.”

PTI’s Sangjani rally was a ‘failure’

Chaudhry claimed that the PTI’s Sangjani rally was a failure, prompting the some party leaders to make “bold” speeches.

He was of the view that Khan’s party would not hold rally on September 21 as it has no structure. But he admitted that the PTI has a public support.

The Kal Tak host advised the former prime minister to focus on the parliamentary democracy and law and order situation in KP. He alleged that “free lawyers” were not contesting Khan’s case properly.

But he acknowledged that some of the lawyers were appearing in more than one case and also attending the assembly sessions.

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“The country situation is horrifying and sensitive as there was war on the border and Pakistan is facing economic meltdown,” he said and added that a mini-budget was on the line with more conditions. “The confusion and chaos is damaging Pakistan.”

He was astonished by Gandpur’s statement to visit Afghanistan and hold talks with the interim government, which is not being accepted by the world while rejecting the ruling coalition’s offers for table talks.

According to Chaudhry, most of the PTI lawmakers want talks with the government but some “like Shehryar Afridi and Shandana Gulzar do not support such initiatives.”

He claimed that the PTI leaders would skip the parliament committee formed after their arrest as they did not join it after Khan’s consent.