Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, calling the May 9 incidents a revolt against the state and its institutions, said the real objective of the attacks was to topple democracy, bury the constitution, and bring dictatorship in the country besides undermining the national unity to cause social unrest.
Chairing a special meeting of the federal cabinet held at the Parliament House, the premier said that May 9 was a black day in Pakistan’s history when the rioters attacked the defence institutions and the monuments of martyrs and Ghazis.
The evil plan of May 9 was not merely a conspiracy against Pakistan but also the state, Pakistan Army, and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir. But thanks to Allah Almighty that design was thwarted. However, the nation wants to know as why despite a year, the culprits were not yet punished,” he remarked.
He said holding the cabinet meeting at the Parliament House aimed to give a message of unity and express solidarity with the nation’s martyrs and heroes.
The prime minister viewed that the May 9 attacks were carried out to undermine that time PDM government’s efforts to stabilise the economy, impede normalisation of strained ties with friendly countries, and cover up the foreign funding, Toshakhana, and 190 million pound corruption scams, and ensure the appointments on key posts without merit.
Exemplifying the riots in the UK and USA, the prime minister said no country could tolerate such heinous crimes against the state institutions.
PM Shehbaz said that except May 9, the politicians in the country’s history, despite facing tough circumstances, played role in pacifying the situation either through the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay” or tolerated the hardships without uttering a single word against Pakistan.
He said those behind the May 9 attacks had also hurled the allegations of “35 punctures” (a reference to the allegation of polls rigging) and made contradictory statements in cipher case, also undermining Pakistan’s ties with the United States which the incumbent government was trying to improve.
The premier said that the nation had witnessed the May 9 riots and also those who orchestrated and executed the anti-state conspiracy with some people also confessing the same in videos.
“Even today, the anti-Pakistan propaganda was being carried out from abroad, and letters were written by some elements to destabilise the national economy,” PM Shehbaz said.
He told the cabinet members that the government had already put the country’s economy on the course to stability and thanked the political parties for extending their support.
PM Shehbaz also expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for assuring his support to expedite the disposal of tax-related cases involving Rs2700 billion.
Apprising the members of his recent Saudi visit, he called it the “most productive and useful” visit of his life.
Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said the Ma 9 incidents were tragic and emphasised that the nation always needed to find a correction course.
He lauded PM Shehbaz for taking immediate action and overseeing the probe into May 9 attacks.
The law minister presented before the cabinet a report of a committee formed by the caretaker government under the Interim Law Minister Ahmed Irfan on May 9 incident which clearly termed the PTI leadership responsible for the riots.
He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership called the no-confidence motion against its government a foreign conspiracy and the party leadership had also called for playing up the narrative.
The committee also suggested multiple actions like awareness among youth, creating national harmony and legislation on provincial and federal levels to ensure effective prosecution.
Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan said the freedom of expression and protest were people’s right but there was always a line for the country.
He said the rioters of the Capitol Hill were convicted as no one could be given a free hand in the name of freedom of expression.
In his remarks, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Syed Naveed Qamar said the May 9 incidents showed the perpetrators’ animosity against the state.
However, he called for moving ahead of the condemnations by exposing the real culprits and exonerating the innocent.
Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z) leader Aijazul Haq said that during his 35-year political career marking many ups and downs and agitations, no one ever fought against the country’s institutions.
“This was unfortunate and on the same day, I had called it a Black Day in the history. The perpetrators should be punished,” he said and called for uniting the whole nation on a minimum agenda for the betterment of Pakistan.
Earlier today, PM Shehbaz reiterated that there could absolutely be no soft-pedaling of what happened on May 9 and no absolution for those who orchestrated, supported, and assisted the attempt to damage the foundations of the nation.
On the first anniversary of the May 9 incidents, the prime minister took to X saying, “One year ago today, not only were symbols of our national pride and honor attacked, but the sanctity of our sacred homeland was also assaulted.”
“Let not the shadows of lies, hide the light of truth… Love of our country demands nothing less,” he remarked.
In another post, the premier said that May 9 is a day that separated two distinct mindsets – one that sacrificed for the country and the other that betrayed the nation for personal gains.
“One year has passed, but the nation has not forgotten its betrayers and will never forget them, PM Shehbaz added.