Information Minister Attaullah Tarar called on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to publicly apologize for the May 9, 2023, riots, as he released “exclusive” CCTV footage showing PTI supporters vandalizing and setting fire to government and military installations.
At a press conference in Lahore on Saturday, Tarar presented evidence in the form of videos, audio recordings, and photographs, accusing senior PTI leaders of orchestrating the violent attacks on sensitive national sites, including military installations and memorials of national martyrs. “The evidence is undeniable,” Tarar said, as he shared footage from Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and other cities, directly linking PTI leaders and members to the violence.
The released footage showed protesters attacking multiple military facilities, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the Army Institute of Military History, Lahore Cantt, PAF Air Base Mianwali, Combined Military Hospital in Abbottabad, Radio Pakistan in Peshawar, and several other military and civilian sites across the country.
Tarar also played audio and video clips of PTI leaders allegedly inciting their supporters to target key installations like the Pakistan Army’s headquarters and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House. He accused the PTI leadership of being involved in a “well-organized conspiracy” with direct instructions to incite violence at strategic locations. “They kept asking for evidence, and now it is in front of everyone,” Tarar said.
The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader criticized PTI for allegedly damaging national security and spreading chaos while consistently denying responsibility for the riots. He asked if PTI leaders would now apologize to the nation and accept accountability for their actions.
Referring to PTI as the “Tehreek-e-Inteshar” (Movement for Chaos), Tarar accused the party of inciting unrest as part of a broader agenda. “They attempted to harm national security, and their actions align with the narratives of our enemies,” he added.
The minister assured that all released evidence, including CCTV footage, was secure and tamper-proof. He emphasized the importance of swift justice in the cases related to the May 9 violence, to set a precedent and deter similar incidents in the future.
Tarar concluded by reiterating the call for PTI leaders to apologize to the nation and cease their calls for foreign interference. He stressed the need for justice to prevent further chaos.
Background to the May 9 Riots: The violent protests erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan on May 9, 2023. Party supporters took to the streets across the country, damaging both public and private property. The violence came after months of political turmoil, with Khan leading a campaign against the government after his ouster via a no-confidence motion in April 2022. The protests resulted in at least eight deaths and numerous injuries, leading to the arrest of thousands of PTI supporters and leaders.
During the unrest, PTI workers targeted key civil and military installations, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and Jinnah House in Lahore. In response, the military declared May 9 a “Black Day” and decided to try those involved in the violence under the Army Act.
