Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif firmly held Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan accountable as “Mastermind” behind riots and incidents of vandalism that took place on May 9 following his arrest, stating that he cannot acquit himself of responsibility.

PM said that miscreants of former ruling party, led by Khan intentionally provoked people as part of premeditated plan. Addressing Martyrs Protection Convention at Jinnah Convention Centre here, he expressed his firm stance against miscreants who crossed red line on May 9.

“I am feeling proud in addressing this convention today because we have assembled here to pay tributes to shuhada. They are those shuhada who rendered sacrifice of their lives for soil of Pakistan and defence of motherland. We can never forget shuhada. They are our asset and national heroes, he added. He emphasised that no guilty person would be spared and no innocent person would be punished, regardless of any recommendations he might make.

 He commended gathering for paying homage to martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend Pakistan’s soil and homeland. He regarded these martyrs as valuable assets and national heroes, underscoring importance of never forgetting their sacrifices, which were cultivated with blood.

Acknowledging sacrifices of Pakistan’s forces, law enforcement agencies, police and security personnel, he credited their contributions to bringing peace and stability to country. However, he highlighted that events of May 9 would forever be remembered as “Dark day” that should not be forgotten.

He raised pertinent question, asking if any political party should be allowed to attack state in event of an arrest. He contrasted treatment of opposition during Khan’s tenure, where they were imprisoned without resorting to unlawful actions that harmed state or its defence institutions. 

Regarding May 9 incident, he described it as an unforgivable crime and an attack on state. He expressed his concern for desecration of pictures and memorials of martyrs, empathising with pain experienced by their heirs and relatives. Shehbaz Sharif emphasised strength of state, reassuring nation that those responsible for attack would be brought to justice.

He reiterated that no guilty person would be spared, and the government would take strict action against the culprits in accordance with the law. The prime minister emphasised the need to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future by enforcing robust measures against those who dare to challenge the state.

Federal Ministers Aminul Haq and Sherry Rehman also addressed the gathering and demanded that the prime minister not spare those responsible for the May 9 riots. They asserted that the attackers of the state could not be considered patriots and stressed the importance of bringing them to book.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 24 2023

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