Imran Khan, the incarcerated former Prime Minister of Pakistan and founder of Tehreek-e-Insaf, has voiced his full endorsement of the Army’s determination to take strict action against those responsible for the violence that occurred on May 9, according to a report by Dawn.
The commitment to pursue the culprits of the May 9 violence was reaffirmed during the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC), presided over by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
During a media interaction at Adiala Jail, Khan urged the identification of the perpetrators through CCTV footage, drawing parallels with the United States where protesters were apprehended for their involvement in an insurrection at Capitol Hill, aided by security footage.
Expressing disappointment, Khan remarked on the lack of enthusiasm for an impartial investigation into the events of May 9. He emphasized that the narrative surrounding May 9 failed to influence the February 8 elections, alleging that only three political parties benefitted from the rigged polls.
Khan adamantly declared his refusal to accept the results of the recent elections, equating it to submission to tyranny. He announced plans for a large-scale public gathering in Peshawar to protest against the alleged electoral fraud.
Describing the February 8 general election as the most fraudulent in history, Khan warned of its detrimental impact on the economy and the well-being of the populace, drawing parallels with the stolen mandate of East Pakistan which led to the 1971 tragedy.
He criticized the Election Commission for Pakistan (ECP) for depriving his party of reserved seats, labelling the action as unconstitutional and contradictory to democratic principles. Khan demanded an audit of four constituencies, including those represented by Nawaz Sharif and Aun Chaudhry in Lahore, and the one in Peshawar won by Noor Alam.
Referring to allegations made by Khawaja Asif regarding former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa’s purported involvement in attempting to overthrow the PTI government, Khan claimed that General Bajwa had offered him incentives for cooperation, which he declined.
Khan also remarked on the reliance of the Sharif family on the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) for their political future, cautioning that it alone cannot attract foreign investment, and noted the shifting narratives of the Sharif faction.
