ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have said that 9th may will always be remembered as a dark day in country’s history, when charged PTI workers damaged public property and military installations.
In a statement the President condemned the violence and said that the unfortunate incidents severely tarnished the country’s image, which only served the interest of Pakistan’s enemies.
He termed the mob attacks as an attempt to challenge the writ of the state. The President expressed pride in Pakistan’s armed forces and the institutions.
He emphasized that those responsible for the May 9th violence should be held a countable according to law.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a post on social media platform X in connection with the incident of May 9, said 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.
He said one year has passed but neither the Nation has forgotten nor will forget the criminals who did this offence.
The premier expressed his resolve to move forward for achieving goals of development and to give a bright future to next generations.
Pakistani government has arranged a high level ceremony to honor martyrs as May 9 events completed one year when charged mobs vandalized memorials of the martyrs of Pakistan armed forces.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Chief of Army Staff and other senior officials are expected to attend the cermoent to pay tribute to martyrs.
It was reported that federal cabinet members and parliament members will also participate in the ceremony, along with the families of martyrs. To mark the day, a special session of the federal cabinet will also be held in capital on Thursday.
May 9 Riots
Last year, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was held by paramilitary forces at Islamabad High Court, sparking clashes between his supporters and police.
What followed after his shock arrest was nationwide protests. Dozens of paramilitary troops surrounded Khan and led him into a van, as authorities imposed an emergency order banning all gatherings in three provinces.
The country saw unprecedented vandalism as PTI supporters attacked historic corps commander’s house in Lahore. The violent protesters entered the residence, ransacked the building, destroyed furniture, damaged fixtures, and set it on fire. Smoke billowed from the building, visible from a distance. Fortunately, the corps commander and his family were not present during the attack.
Following Imran Khan’s arrest, massive protests erupted in cities across Pakistan, and several army installations including GHQ were attacked.
It also triggered massive crackdown as thousands were arrested. Army also started military trials against the accused who ransacked the key installations.
‘May 9 culprits must face punishment for their actions’, says Pakistan Army spokesperson
