Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister and head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), accused law enforcement agency personnel of inciting the violent protests on May 9 through arson and gunfire, following his detention about the Al-Qadir Trust case.
In a Monday tweet from his official account, Khan claimed that PTI possesses substantial evidence indicating that these individuals were responsible for the chaos, intending to pin the blame on his party.
Khan’s comments followed an announcement by the military’s leadership to hold protesters and their associates accountable under applicable laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. This decision was reached in the wake of the May 9 incidents when PTI followers and sympathizers attacked military facilities, an event the army has labeled “Black Day.”
This resolution was taken during a Special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC) at the General Headquarters, chaired by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, as per a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Post Khan’s arrest, PTI supporters vandalized military facilities, including the house of the Corps Commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House, among other public properties. Khan has been a vocal critic of the military since his removal from office in April of the previous year.
The ISPR statement expressed a firm commitment to bring to justice those involved in these grave crimes against military installations and personnel/equipment.
Read: PTI Denies Inciting Violence Following Imran Khan’s Arrest
Without referencing the military’s statement, Khan tweeted that they can provide sufficient evidence to any independent investigation that agency operatives orchestrated the disturbances to create chaos and implicate PTI, legitimizing the ongoing crackdown.
In a video message, Khan alleged an “organized conspiracy” behind the attacks on government buildings and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House. He claimed that troublemakers had been inserted among PTI protesters to incite his followers, asserting the availability of video proof within the party.
He called for an independent investigation into the vandalism and suggested that these actions were part of a “London plan” aimed at outlawing his party and imprisoning its leaders.
In a previous tweet, Khan shared videos featuring PTI Punjab chapter President Dr. Yasmin Rashid and her sisters urging protesters not to damage Jinnah House.
Khan insinuated that these events were orchestrated by those aiming to use it as an excuse to suppress PTI further, imprison its workers and senior leadership, including himself, to fulfill commitments made to Nawaz Sharif as part of the alleged “London plan.”
