The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly today has passed a resolution to establish a judicial commission to probe into the May 9 incidents. The resolution also demands the withdrawal of cases against the PTI’s founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The resolution is now staying on the provincial cabinet’s agenda for approval. Will this idea of the PTI work and meet its demands or can it further intense the situation?
In addition, the text for the judicial inquiry resolution wad prepared calling for the release of CCTV footage related to the events to the public. Meanwhile, the hearing of May 9 cases against 500 accused, including former premier and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, was adjourned until July 15.
It is important to note that the PTI has been earlier demanding the formation of such commission claiming it was innocent and the May 9 was a false flag operation of the military establishment of Pakistan. The idea was even floated before the first anniversary of the May 9 but was not accepted by the parties concerned.
Throughout the year statements continued from government and military leaders condemning the violent events demanding prompt justice, while attacking the PTI and its jailed chairman.
The PTI alleged the May 9 chaos was a “false flag operation” and blamed the security establishment for this day. The military and government called it a “Black Day” in the country’s history. On May 7, the military suggested the former prime minister should ask apology of the nation. Through a press conference of the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the PTI founder was also asked to shun what he described as ‘politics of anarchy and hatred’ to revive his political fortunes blow. Imran and his party blatantly refused apology when some journalists asked him about it during a court hearing.
The PTI declared that DG ISPR’s press conference was full of lies, contradictions, vicious statements, devoid of logic and an unauthorized. It demanded a judicial commission, not subordinate to the military, to investigate the violent events of May 9. The PTI published a white paper on poll rigging alleging the military establishment of stealing the mandate of this party. It managed publishing of articles in a Britain’s newspapers blaming the security establishment for the May 9 incidents. This Party continued malicious social media campaigns against the military establishment even blamed the institution for the cessation of Bangladesh.
Last May 9, the government said there would be “no absolution” for those who orchestrated May 9 plan. This year on May 9 every political party in Pakistan, except PTI, along with the Pakistani nation observed May 9 with a resolve not to let those involved unpunished. The government called a special meeting of the federal cabinet to show a joint resolve of the nation against this historically bad day for Pakistan.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari stated May 9 will be remembered as a dark day in Pakistan’s history. It was a day when a politically instigated group challenged the nation’s patience and attacked the country’s property and military installations. The President in his statement said the unfortunate incidents only served the interest of Pakistan’s enemies. He emphasized those responsible be dealt under the law.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said it was very unfortunate that May 9 responsible were not yet punished. He said that a particular political party on this day made efforts to destabilize Pakistan and start fighting between the defense forces and citizens. It was a heinous effort of the agitated political group to damage Pakistan, it was a rebellious against the country and state institutions, the PM has stated.
Federal Minister for Law Azam Nazir Tarar also presented a fact-finding report on the May 9 incidents and that held PTI’s top command responsible for staging May 9. Baluchistan assembly passed a resolution showing solidarity with armed forces and demanded to bring May 9 responsible to justice. Same was demanded by the Punjab government. The military establishment condemned May 9 and its handlers. It has repeatedly said that no one responsible for May 9 will go unpunched. It ruled out any negotiations with PTI’s leadership stating that no talks with May 9 responsible was desired. DG ISPR Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in his press conference said the way out for the PTI was to tender public apology.
The armed forces of Pakistan through DG ISPR said if a judicial commission has to be formed then the PTI’s 2014 stage in, attacks on the Supreme Court and the parliament of Pakistan will also be investigated. It said any such commission will also investigate Khan’s letter to the IMF and etc. This stamen clearly indicates the military is not ready for any such commission or its formation is just conditional.
Given the situation, its looks surprising that a government that itself is a party in May incidents can form a commission at its own. Is the formation of such commission a mandate of the PTI’s provincial government or it lies with the federal government to form it? Will any such commission be accepted by the military establishment and how this commission will work are the questions that provide what may happen to such commission. The idea of this kind of a commission will largely remain without any results.
How such commission can work without putting aside those who are the real parties of the May 9 case? What Alin Gandapur lead KP government wants trough such move looks nothing than an appeasement to its jailed leader. The ISPR has clearly stated not to let facilitators, abettors and executioners of May 9 hoodwink the law of the land. An ISPR statement said, “The Armed Forces of Pakistan, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and Services Chiefs, strongly condemn the criminal acts of 9th May 2023. On this one of the darkest days in our national history, politically motivated and brainwashed miscreants in an act of rebellion deliberately resorted to violence against state institutions and vandalized sacred symbols of the state and the sites belonging to national heritage.” It said, “Failing to undermine national harmony and stability, the planner, facilitators, and executors of this conspiracy embarked upon a sinister campaign of hate against the Armed Forces and the state with an intent to twist the narrative to their advantage. It is precisely for this reason there can neither be any compromise with the planners, facilitators, and executors of the 9th May tragedy nor they would be allowed to hoodwink the law of the land.” Is it really easy for the KP’s government to escape the responsibility through this kind of a commission? It doesn’t look possible that this way any such commission can work or its findings will be credited by the parties concerned. Perhaps the PTI believes through this commission it can escape the responsibility or there is looks just a political point scoring behind it. Whatever the reason is, it will not likely work the way KP’s ruling party wishes. This kind of a decision may further strain the relationship between the PTI and the military establishment. What happens next is awaited.
(Senior journalist Rana Kashif has authored this article)
