The government plans to observe the first anniversary of the May 9 violence, which targeted military installations and monuments, in a solemn ceremony honouring martyrs and their families. Meanwhile, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), impacted by the events of last May, is organizing nationwide rallies to support its detained leader, Imran Khan, whose arrest last year sparked widespread unrest.
Authorities in Islamabad and Punjab have enacted Section 144 to mitigate PTI’s protests, underlining the day with the motto “May 9, never again.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will preside over a special federal cabinet meeting and attend a tribute at the Jinnah Convention Centre. The event, which honours martyrs, invites public participation.
Media outlets are broadcasting reminders of last year’s chaos, which saw mobs breach the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and damage the Lahore corps commander’s residence.
President Asif Ali Zardari referred to May 9 as a grim chapter in Pakistan’s history, marked by politically fueled violence. He emphasized that such misuse of rights to incite violence is intolerable.
“We have never seen such vandalism in responsible democracies, with violent mobs wreaking havoc on state properties for political gains,” he stated.
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar described the violence as a significant conspiracy against Pakistan’s progress and security. He noted that the events were carefully orchestrated to weaken the nation.
Following the unrest, both civil and military leadership designated May 9 as a “black day” nationally.
