In a pivotal move, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Tuesday voiced its recognition of the statement released following a special Corps Commander Conference as “immensely important.”
This reaction comes on the heels of the military’s top brass’s pledge to bring protesters and their abettors to justice under applicable laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The pledge was in response to the storming of military installations on May 9th by PTI workers and supporters, an event that the military has since labeled as “Black Day.”
The PTI party issued a statement acknowledging the gravity of the military’s response. However, the party underlined its steadfast commitment to the Constitution and democratic norms, emphasizing that these principles guarantee the citizens’ right to protest peacefully.
Read: Imran Khan Accuses Unnamed Agencies of Inciting Violence Amid PTI’s Protest
The PTI party has positioned the violent protests that ensued following the arrest of their chairman as a natural and foreseeable response, arguing that this action is protected as a basic democratic right under the Constitution.
However, the party also brought allegations of infiltration by armed anarchists who, they claim, used the peaceful protests as a cover to incite violence and chaos. According to PTI, these actions resulted in the death of dozens and injuries to hundreds of protesters.
The PTI party went further to demand a comprehensive investigation into the incidents, arguing that an attempt to set the PTI party and the Pakistan Army at odds was made under the cloak of the ensuing chaos and riots. The party stands ready to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims in any independent investigation or inquiry, and they insist that the entire episode was part of a calculated plan to sow disorder and place the blame on the PTI.
Read: Imran Khan Alleges Re-arrest Plan by Ruling Alliance, Calls for ‘Haqeeqi Azaadi’
Ultimately, the PTI party’s statement reiterates its unwavering faith in the supremacy of the Constitution and the law, signaling its steadfast commitment to democratic norms even in the face of escalating tensions.
