President Arif Alvi has called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan to publicly denounce the violence that occurred on May 9, 2023. During the unrest, public assets and military installations were targeted. President Alvi, a confidante of Mr. Khan, has called on law enforcement officials to take action against those involved in the attacks.
The PTI leadership, including its chairman, has already condemned the attacks that resulted in the deaths of ten individuals and the injury of several others. They have called for an investigation led by the Supreme Court into the events that led up to the violence.
The violent protests were triggered by Mr. Khan’s arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case. Following the unrest, numerous PTI supporters were arrested by the authorities. Furthermore, army installations were also attacked. The army denounces this day as one of the darkest chapters in the history of Pakistan.
The government and the army have both pledged to prosecute those responsible for vandalizing army installations under the Pakistan Army Act, the Official Secrets Act, and other pertinent laws. Some human rights organisations and members of the government have opposed the notion of trying civilians under the army act. Still, they agree that the perpetrators must be legally held accountable through due process.
President Alvi believes that human rights must be respected during the trials, and suspects must not be subjected to torture. “The individuals involved should be punished in accordance with the law,” he added.
‘No issues on COAS appointment’
President Alvi stated that PTI chairman Imran Khan did not oppose the appointment of General Asim Munir as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Imran Khan asked me to tell General Bajwa that he should accept anyone whom the institution approves as the next chief,” President Alvi said.
Mr. Khan has criticised the current leadership of the military and accused a senior official of the armed forces of involvement in an assassination attempt that occurred on November 3, 2022.
However, he has also stated that he will not interfere with the military’s affairs when he becomes the Prime Minister. “I do not meddle in the institution’s concerns. I’ve repeatedly stated this,” he remarked.
