Pakistani authorities handed over 33 civilians to the military for trial in military court over their alleged involvement in May 9 violent protests, the interior minister said Friday.
Speaking to reporters in the capital Islamabad, Rana Sanaullah said that so far, 499 first information reports (FIRs) had been registered across the country, and arrested thousands of people.
"So far, 499 FIRs (first information reports) have been registered across the country and only 88 were under the anti-terrorism act (ATA)," Sanaullah told reporters, broadcasted by state-run Pakistan Television.
He added that 3,946 people were arrested under the ATA, while 5,536 under other laws.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier said over 10,000 of his party workers and supporters were arrested by the government across the country.
However, Sanaullah claimed nearly 4,000 are in government custody, while 80% of 5,536, arrested under other laws, have been released on bail.
He also confirmed that so far, 19 people in Punjab province and 14 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were handed over to the military for trial in military courts.
His statement came after the UN Commission on Human Rights and other global rights groups expressed concerns over the trial of civilian and political workers in military courts.
