Islamabad: According to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Imran Khan, the head of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was the mastermind of the May 9 incidents, the day that turmoil engulfed Pakistan. Following the PTI leader’s arrest in a corruption case, there were violent rallies during which members of his party vandalised government and military buildings. The actions of May 9, which the military has dubbed “Black Day,” involved men, women, a cabal, some military men, and their families, according to the premier. The May 9 acts were committed with the intention of overthrowing the military authority, the prime minister stated in an interview.
PM Shehbaz mentioned that the planners wanted “anarchy” and “war” in the country.
Following the violent protests, the government and the military vowed a strong response, arresting and detaining several PTI workers and leaders for their alleged involvement.
In response to the attacks, Pakistan Army sacked three senior officers, including a lieutenant general.
Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, the army’s spokesperson, said two departmental inquiries were conducted, headed by major generals, and punishments were given according to their recommendations.
Strict departmental action had also been taken against another 15 army officers, including three major generals and seven brigadiers, Chaudhry said, as part of internal accountability in the military.
Chaudhry added that several relatives, including women, of senior army officers were also facing trials for allegedly being facilitators of the violence.
The PTI contests that its members were not involved in the attacks, but the government and military reject the claims and say they have “irrefutable evidence” of their involvement.
The army also decided to try those who attacked military installations — including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and Lahore Corps Commander House — in military courts.
The Supreme Court, however, expects that civilians will not be tried in military courts until it has decided on the petitions challenging the trials.
