Several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders who left the party following the May 9 attacks on military installations by the PTI supporters protesting the arrest of their leader Imran Khan, have joined Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the PTI defectors, including former lawmakers, into the party.
PTI leaders from Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur, Bahawalnagar, Mianwali, Okara, and Khanewal called on Zardari and announced their decision of joining PPP.
Former premier and PPP leader Yusuf Raza Gilani addressed a press conference on the occasion and criticised PTI Chairman Imran Khan for dissolving Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies.
On May 9, PTI protestors attacked military and civilian installations following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan on corruption charges.
Top military brass and the civilian government decided to hold trials of PTI supporters who attacked military installations under Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the Official Secrets Act, 1923.
According to these acts, civilians can be tried in military courts for inciting mutiny, spying, and taking photographs of “prohibited” places.
At least 33 civilians have been handed over to the military so far for trial and six FIRs out of 499 cases would be tried in the military courts.
Human rights defenders have criticised the trial of civilians in military courts.
 leaders who left the party following the May 9 attacks on military installations by the PTI supporters protesting the arrest of their leader Imran Khan, have joined Pakistan People's Party (PPP). ){kind=link}