A Lahore anti-terrorism court has approved the request to hand over 16 individuals accused of vandalising Jinnah House on May 9 in order to try them under the country’s military laws.

The court ordered all 16 individuals, including ex-MPA Mian Akram Usman, to be handed over to commanding officer Irfan Athar.

“In view of request made by Irfan Athar, commanding officer/military officer, duly forwarded by prosecution as the case of the above mentioned is exclusively triable by [the] military court, therefore, while accepting the request of the commanding officer […] superintendent Camp Jail is directed to hand over custody of the [accused] for further proceedings in accordance with the law,” he said.