Defense Minister Khawaja Asif labeled the May 9 violent assaults on military establishments as a strike on Pakistan’s unity and survival.
While speaking to journalists in Sialkot, Asif proclaimed, “I do not differentiate at all between the assault on the Corps Commander’s residence, Mianwali air base, the GHQ (Headquarters of the Pakistan Army), and India’s attack on this location (Sialkot memorial).”
He emphasized, “Every individual should bear in mind that a nation that forgets its benefactors or, God forbid, takes on the demeanor of the May 9 rioters, such nations have no further justification for existence.”
“Pakistan’s existence was targeted on May 9. An individual [Imran Khan] instigated this attack for his personal gain,” Asif stated while speaking at a rally in Sialkot organized by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to show support for the armed forces.
The minister lamented the pain the families and descendants of the martyred must have felt when vandals attacked the sacred monuments. “I never question anyone’s allegiance, but I question the motives of those who orchestrated the May 9 attacks,” Asif asserted.
Before his address, the minister visited the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (martyrs monument) in Chawinda, laying a floral wreath on the graves of the martyrs and offering prayers.
He noted that their visit to the martyr’s monument was to honor their courage in defeating the Indian army.
“I give homage to those who sacrificed [their lives] to protect the country,” Asif stated.
He criticized, without naming, a political figure targeting Pakistan’s armed forces under the current circumstances.
“They are involving foreign elements in attacks on the armed forces,” he warned, encouraging people to display genuine affection for the army and reject the impression created by the May 9 incident.
Asif reassured that the Pakistan Army remains resilient today, with brave soldiers sacrificing their lives for the beloved country.
He stressed the necessity to display solidarity in recognition of the sacrifices made by the Pakistan forces and to exhibit unity as a nation.
“They wish to regain power,” he further commented.
On May 9, Khan’s arrest ignited protests across Pakistan. Protesters also vandalized public properties, set police vehicles ablaze, and assaulted sensitive national buildings — including the GHQ and Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) — on May 9. The Punjab government established a joint investigation team (JIT) on May 13 to investigate the attacks.
The military’s top brass responded sternly, vowing on May 15 to try protesters and their facilitators under relevant laws, and declared May 9 a “Black Day.
