Military vows to tighten noose around planners of May 9 violence

Wednesday June 7, 2023Wednesday June 7, 2023

By Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military brass vowed on Wednesday to tighten the “noose of law” around the “planners and masterminds” of the May 9 violence that erupted after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The violence, which saw protesters attack military installations and state property, was condemned by the military as a “dark chapter” in the country’s history.

Former premier Khan was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the Al Qadir Trust case, in which he is accused of land scam. Several people were killed and dozens were injured in the clashes.

A statement, issued by the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the military would “render all sacrifices necessary for the security and stability of the country with the perpetual support of the proud people of Pakistan’ and would not tolerate any attempt to create chaos or instability in the country.

“The forum condemned the incidents of May 9 Black Day and, in the strictest sense, reiterated its first resolve that the desecrators [of] Shuhada Monuments and Jinnah House and attackers of military installations would certainly be brought to justice speedily under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act, which are the derivatives of the Constitution of Pakistan,” the ISPR said after a meeting of Formation Commanders in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

“Endeavours by any quarter to create obstructions and stymie the conclusive defeat of ill-design of inimical forces will be dealt with iron hands.”

The military has since vowed to bring to justice all those involved in the violence. The ISPR statement said the legal process of trial against the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced.

However, the statement also denied allegations that the military was behind a crackdown against Khan, his party and its supporters and carrying out human rights violations.

“Unfounded and baseless allegations on Law Enforcement Agencies and Security Forces for custodial torture, human rights abuses and stifling of political activities are meant to mislead the people and malign Armed Forces in order to achieve trivial vested political interests.”

The statement reiterated that those who had damaged military properties would be brought to justice “speedily under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act which are the derivatives of the Constitution of Pakistan.”