Pakistan's law minister defends putting protesters on trial in military courts

Pakistan's law and justice minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, seen here in April in Islamabad, said in an interview with NPR that Pakistan's use of an anti-terrorism law is "fully compliant with international guarantees for free trial" and said those accused have the right to "engage counsel of their choice." He expects it will take "a few months" for trials to wrap up. (Anjum Naveed/AP)

Pakistan's military has fired three senior army officers for failing to prevent violent attacks on military property by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The military spokesman, Maj. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, announced the firings in a press conference on Monday, and said those sacked include a lieutenant general.

The announcement came as Pakistan continues to deal with fallout following last month's violent protests by thousands of Khan's supporters after Khan was arrested on graft charges on May 9 in Islamabad. They attacked military installations and set fire to the home of an army corps commander in the eastern city of Lahore. Khan was later released, though he still faces many charges.