ISLAMABAD: While the military ruled out dialogue with the embattled PTI saying it should tender an apology over the May 9, 2023, vandalism, the leaders of the party hit back and asked the army to remain within its constitutional limits.
But as the day arrived, the government tried its best to be more loyal to the king than the king and said those involved in the arson attacks on military installations would be brought to justice.
President Asif Ali Zardari in a statement said those responsible for the May 9 violence should be held a countable according to law. He termed the mob attacks as an attempt to challenge the writ of the state.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a post on X states, “This day separates two thoughts of politics, one those who sacrificed politics for the state and the other who attacked the state for sake of politics.”
Meanwhile, the Punjab government put security on high alert and imposed Section 144 banning assembly of more than four persons fearing protest rallies.
On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters across the country took to the streets after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested by NAB in a corruption case. The Supreme Court granted him bal three days later.
The protesters burnt down army installations including the corps commander Lahore’s house. They also attacked the GHQ Rawalpindi and Radio Pakistan Peshawar building.
Terrorism cases were registered against leaders and workers of the PTI and over 100 activities were jailed who are still behind bars.
