Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) renewed its strong demand for an independent judicial commission on Saturday to investigate the violent events of May 9, 2023. The party wants senior Supreme Court judges to lead a transparent probe that identifies and punishes those truly responsible for the unrest.
PTI leaders described the day as one of the darkest in Pakistan’s political history. They pointed to the dramatic arrest of party founder Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court as the trigger that sparked widespread protests and clashes across the country. Imran Khan remains in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he faces restricted access to family and party members.
Party Demands Full Accountability and Release of Detainees
In a strongly worded statement, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram called the arrest a clear violation of the Constitution and basic human rights. He argued that the action set a dangerous precedent of state repression. Akram stressed that the party has pushed for an impartial investigation since the very first day and continues to stand firm on this demand.
The PTI also raised serious concerns over missing CCTV footage from key locations on that day. Akram questioned how such critical evidence could disappear and said its absence creates doubts about the fairness of any probe. He demanded that authorities make all available footage public immediately so the nation can learn the complete truth.
Broader Calls for Justice and Political Reconciliation
Along with the judicial commission, PTI leaders called for the immediate release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and all party workers still detained in connection with the riots. Many of these individuals, including women, were arrested without proper evidence, the party claimed.
Meanwhile, another group, Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP), also labelled May 9 a dark chapter. They argued that authorities used the events as an excuse to suppress political opponents and damage democratic norms.
This fresh demand comes as political tensions remain high in the country. PTI hopes the formation of such a commission will bring clarity, restore public trust, and ensure real accountability for the violence that shook Pakistan three years ago.
