Besides the negative socioeconomic and psychological effects, the May 9-10 vandalism have also negated the tall claims of PTI of supporting democratic values, reconciliation and political tolerance in society. The ransacking of public and private properties have widened the gaps between Pakistan Tahrik e Insaf and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and has split PTI into different groups. “A red line has been drawn between the supporters of democracy and attackers of the government and defence installations after May 9 vandalism and its negative effects would continue to haunt PTI for many years,” said Professor Dr A H Hilali, former Chairman Political Science Department, University of Peshawar while talking to APP on Friday. He said attacks on defense installations and statues of the defenders of Pakistan has exposed the wicked faces of the attackers and abbetters, adding the entire nation stood up for the support of the armed forces of Pakistan and have strongly condemned the assaults on the defense installations on May 9-10. He said that arrest of political leaders were not a new thing in subcontinent including in Pakistan as in the past former prime ministers Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, and former President Asif Ali Zardari have faced jails with steadfastness. He said it was unprecedented that violent protest and attacks on the Govt and defense installations were made by the horde of a political party after the arrest of Imran Khan.
He said Imran Khan should seriously think about his way of politics that why founding leaders including former Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Sindh PTI President Ali Zaidi, former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, former Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, ex federal minister Shereen Mazair and many others stalwarts have seperated ways from PTI. —APP
