RAWALPINDI: Despite Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) denials regarding the jailed party founder’s “confession” about the May 9 violent protests, Imran Khan has reiterated his earlier statement that he directed his party workers to stage a peaceful protest outside the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi before his arrest last year.
The incarcerated former prime minister recently admitted to calling for a protest outside GHQ before his arrest on May 9, 2023. The PTI leadership refuted media reports about Khan’s admission, claiming the party founder “didn’t say what is being reported in the media.” Former National Assembly speaker and senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser stated, “We [categorically] deny this.”
However, Imran Khan once again endorsed his previous statement, confirming his directive for a peaceful protest outside GHQ. “I had told the party to stage a peaceful protest outside GHQ if I get arrested,” he said on Monday while speaking to reporters at Adiala jail. He reiterated that he issued directives for protests in the cantonment areas of the garrison city and mentioned these things multiple times during investigations.
Addressing the violent protests on May 9, which saw attacks on state properties, including military installations across the country, Khan said the protest turned violent because the riots were “pre-planned.” He emphasized that criticism should be made regardless of the institution involved.
Khan also clarified his controversial “only animals are neutral” statement from 2022, saying, “Neutral doesn’t mean animal; it means apolitical. I meant to say the army is non-partisan.” This remark was made at a rally in Lower Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, when he was prime minister in 2022.
The former premier is embroiled in multiple cases for his alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, triggered by his arrest in a graft case. These riots saw several military and state installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence, being vandalized. The then-government and the incumbent administration have repeatedly blamed the PTI founder and senior leadership for orchestrating “organized” attacks on military installations.
Despite securing relief in many cases, the ex-PM remains behind bars following his arrest in the May 9 cases and a new Toshakhana reference after his acquittal in the iddat case.
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