Rawalpindi: Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), on Tuesday emphasized the necessity for legal action against those involved in the May 9 riots, underscoring the need to uphold the Constitution and law of Pakistan.
During a press briefing in Rawalpindi, Maj Gen Chaudhry described the May 9 events, where military installations were targeted, as a national concern, not just limited to the Pakistan Army. He accused political leaders of manipulating public sentiment against the armed forces, which led to the violence.
The spokesperson for the military highlighted the public’s witnessing of the events on May 9, expressing concern over the “brainwashing” of individuals against the armed forces. “We observed how some political leaders directed the mob toward specific targets,” he noted.
“We witnessed attacks solely on military installations within just a few hours, and public outrage escalated when this evidence surfaced.
“The ongoing lies and deceit must end… those implicated in the May 9 riots must face punishment,” DG ISPR stated.
Maj Gen Chaudhry ruled out any possibility of dialogue with what he termed “anarchist groups” who undermine state security. He said the only option for the anarchist group [PTI ]is that they sincerely apologize, renounce their hateful politics, and engage constructively for the welfare of the country.
Addressing demands for a judicial commission to investigate the riots, the DG ISPR welcomed the idea but insisted that the inquiry should be comprehensive. The inquiry should cover related incidents of political unrest going back to the 2014 sit-in, examining all underlying factors, including foreign influences and funding sources, he added.
PTI Criticizes Military’s Press Conference as Contradictory:
PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan, speaking to the media in Islamabad, expressed confusion and frustration over the statements made during the press conference by DG ISPR, which he said were filled with contradictions and lacked a clear rationale.
The PTI spokesperson also took issue with the DG ISPR’s characterization of threats to democracy, mockingly questioning the existence of democracy to even be at risk. He highlighted the timing of the press conference, just days before the anniversary of the May 9 incident, which saw escalated tensions and violence following the arrest of PTI founder, Imran Khan.
Hasan condemned what he described as a systematic campaign against PTI, noting an increase in hostility as time progresses.
Further challenging the assertions made by Major General Ahmed Sharif, Hasan called for a transparent and independent judicial inquiry into not only the events of May 9 but also a host of other issues including the cipher case, the ouster of the PTI government, the assassination attempt on Imran Khan, audio leaks, and alleged election rigging.
The PTI spokesperson insisted that any judicial commission should operate independently from military influence to ensure its findings are accepted broadly across all spectrums of Pakistani society.
DG ISPR on TTP and Security Issues:
It is worth noting that during the press conference, Maj Gen Chaudhry also raised concerns about the misuse of Afghan territory by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for launching attacks against Pakistan. He reaffirmed the military’s resolve in combating terrorism, stating, that they have irrefutable evidence of the TTP’s activities based in Afghanistan and will continue their relentless efforts to eradicate these threats.
The military spokesperson also touched on the broader security challenges posed by the presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, acknowledging their contributions while also highlighting issues related to illegal immigration and its impact on regional stability.
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