Military leaders have vowed to bring the masterminds of the May 9 uprising to justice.
General Asim claims accusations of torture in prison and other human rights violations and the suppression of political activity are false.
To put an end to what they termed “the hate ripened and politically driven rebellion against the state and state institutions,” top military commanders met Wednesday in ISLAMABAD and resolved to tighten the noose around the “planners and masterminds” of the movement.
This announcement was made at the conclusion of a conference of formation commanders in Rawalpindi presided over by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir. General Asim presided over his first meeting of formation commanders as army chief in November. All of the army’s formation commanders as well as the chiefs of staff from each corps were present at the conference.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) published a statement that went into greater length than normal, concentrating on what happened after the violent protests on May 9.
The most noteworthy aspect of the message was the ominous suggestion of legal action against the PTI leadership.
The military’s media arm stated, “while the legal trials of perpetrators and instigators have commenced, it is time that the noose of law is also tightened around the planners and masterminds who mounted the hate ripened and politically driven rebellion against the state and state institutions to achieve their nefarious design of creating chaos in the country.”
The forum also decided to punish harshly with anyone who tries to sabotage the final defeat of the evil plot of the hostile forces.
The current environment, internal and external security threats, and the participants’ operational readiness to counteract these threats were all covered in the briefing.
The meeting was also updated on the structural modifications and specialized technology being implemented to boost operational readiness and to meet the demands of a changing security landscape.
The Chief of Army Staff said, “The Pakistan Army will remain committed towards their national obligations of safeguarding territorial integrity and sovereignty.” He said, “The events of May 25 were a clear manifestation of the deep bondage between the people of Pakistan and their armed forces, which is and will remain central to all our undertakings.”
To mislead the people and malign Armed Forces for trivial vested political interests, the forum concluded, “Unfounded and baseless allegations on Law Enforcement Agencies and Security Forces for custodial torture, human rights abuses, and stifling of political activities are meant to mislead the people.”
“Hostile forces and their abettors have been trying hard to create societal division and confusion through fake news and propaganda, but all such designs will continue to be defeated with the full support of the nation, InshaAllah,” the COAS said.
While condemning the events of 9 May Black Day in the strongest possible terms, the forum reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that those responsible for the destruction of Shuhada Monuments, Jinnah House, and military installations would be brought to justice as soon as possible under the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secret Act, respectively derived from the Constitution of Pakistan.
Attempts to mislead and to hide behind bogus claims of Human Rights Violations in order to cover everyone’s tracks are doomed to failure in light of the mountain of evidence that has been accumulated.
The COAS emphasized the need of achieving excellence in training and sustaining high levels of professionalism and motivation during operations. He praised the army’s leadership for always prioritizing the welfare and strong morale of the soldiers, who are the key to the organization’s success.
With the unwavering support of Pakistan’s haughty citizens, the meeting concluded with a pledge to make any and all sacrifices required to keep the country safe.
The officers and soldiers of the Armed Forces, the Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Shuhada from civil society who laid down their lives for the protection, security, and dignity of the country were honored with rich tributes. For the shuhadas’ departed souls, the forum provided Fateha. There was a declaration made during the conference that said, “The State of Pakistan and Armed Forces will always keep Shuhadas and their families in highest esteem and will continue to honor them and their sacrifices with utmost respect and dignity.”
Armed forces and the PDM government of the country declared May 9 a “black day” because of the riots that day.
Protesters apparently affiliated with the former ruling party attacked the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Lahore corps commander’s mansion, commonly known as the Jinnah House, in an extraordinary act of damage.
Hours earlier, on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau, paramilitary Rangers personnel had arrested party chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, which has since been renamed the £190 million National Crime Agency scandal.
As a result of the crackdown, many prominent PTI members have publicly distanced themselves from the party and others have been detained.
