RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said planners of May 9 riots should be punished as per constitution and law of land.

Addressing press conference here, Army’s spokesperson said unavoidable evidence of May 9 riots is available. Attacks on Army’s installations that took place within hours on May 9 were recorded on CCTV cameras. Videos of political leaders directing rioters on May 9 are also available.

May 9 riots were used to create rift between masses and Pakistan Armed Forces. Group tried to deviate masses under name of False Flag Operation, he said. Responding to question regarding judicial commission, DG ISPR said commission is formed to probe matter when there is doubt. Everything is crystal clear about May 9 riots, he added.

Commenting on prospects of dialogue with any faction, Maj Gen Chaudhry said, “No talks will be held with any political leader, or group which attacks its own Army and indulges in propaganda against them”.

“There can be no dialogue with an anarchist group,” he noted adding that “Only way forward for anarchists [group] is to apologise sincerely, abandon politics of hate and indulge in constructive politics instead”. “Talks are for political parties, not institutions,” Army’s spokesperson

Responding to another question, he said party only gained 31 percent of votes in February 8 elections. He rejected impression those who voted for party in general elections endorsed May 9 attacks.

DG ISPR said Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is using Afghan soil for unrest in Pakistan. “There is irrefutable evidence of Afghan soil being used by TTP, recent terrorist incidents can be traced back to Afghanistan”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 08 2024

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