Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar mocked the PTI on Thursday, claiming that those who had previously declared “Absolutely not” – implying that no deal could be reached – were now meeting with the US ambassador.
They were referring to recent talks between PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, and Raoof Hasan and US Ambassador Donald Blome, all after the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, recently held the Americans responsible for his ouster from power and ruled out any deal for his release from jail.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Asif stated that May 9 of last year was the darkest day in the country’s history.
“Those responsible for the May 9 violence should be punished and held accountable,” he stated.
“The nation should be aware of the facts as well.”
On May 9, 2023, law enforcement detained Imran for the first time in connection with a corruption investigation, resulting in violent riots in several sections of the country and attacks on military sites.
Denouncing these acts, the minister stated that the military forces and civil law enforcement agencies were fighting a struggle for the country’s survival and making sacrifices every day in the continuous fight against terrorism.
He went on to say that on May 9, an attempt was made to undermine the honour and integrity of an institution as part of a malicious scheme.
Asif went on to say that the PTI was complicit in the events on May 9, last year.
“The May 9 conspiracy links back to 2014.”
Asif lamented that the rioters set fire to the martyrs’ memorial.
“Even India honoured Captain Sher Khan Shaheed.”
Asif accused the PTI of stirring up controversy over the army chief’s appointment, despite the fact that the decision was entirely up to the premier.
Asif went on to say that today, everyone in the PTI was sitting as a “chairman” in their own homes.
He pointed out that Imran had created a new narrative of “absolutely not” and “No to slavery”.
However, he went on to say that PTI officials were meeting with the US ambassador and paying lobbyists to persuade Americans to provide aid to the party.
The minister criticized the PTI slogan “Khan Nahi to Pakistan Nahi” (No Pakistan without [Imran] Khan), claiming that the country was founded on the sacrifices of millions of people rather than an individual’s ego.
Responding to media inquiries, Asif stated that political parties must engage in communication with one another. He went on to say that if a governmental institution decides not to get involved in politics, no party should drag it into it.
Tarar stated that the judges had been asked to bring the May 9 cases to a logical conclusion.
“Is there any reason why the courts should not continue to [do that]?” he said, noting that there was ample evidence in these cases.
“It’s even clear who entered various buildings and who stood outside giving instructions.”
The minister insisted that the three sisters of the PTI’s founding chairman were implicated in the May 9 mayhem.
“Why didn’t anyone file a case against them?”
In response to a question, he stated that the PML-N leaders were exposed to a number of atrocities while in jail under the PTI’s administration.
He went on to say that in comparison, Imran was given every available facility in jail, including an exercise cycle, a walking gallery, and chicken in meals.
Maria Ghanchi