Federal Cabinet declares May 9 as darkest day
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Federal Cabinet declared May 9 as the darkest day in country's history when the rioters attacked the defence institutions and the monuments of martyrs and Ghazis.
Addressing a special session of the cabinet on Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that there was a rebellion against Pakistan and state institutions on May 9. "Groups were instigated. Thanks God, rebellion failed. Those who did the rebellion deny it, but truth cannot be concealed," he declared.
The prime minister said that it was a matter of concern that the accused could not be punished even after one year. "Our promise is with the country, the nation and the great martyrs that May 9 will not occur in the future," he added.
APP adds: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling the May 9 incidents a revolt against the state and its institutions, said the real objective of the attacks was to topple democracy, bury the constitution, and bring dictatorship in the country besides undermining the national unity to cause social unrest.
The evil plan of May 9 was not merely a conspiracy against Pakistan but also the state, Pakistan Army, and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir. "But thanks to Allah Almighty that design was thwarted. However, the nation wants to know as why despite a year, the culprits were not yet punished,” he remarked.
The prime minister viewed that the May 9 attacks were carried out to undermine that time PDM government’s efforts to stabilize the economy, impede normalization of strained ties with friendly countries, and cover up the foreign funding, Toshakhana, and 190 million pound corruption scams, and ensure the appointments on key posts without merit. Exemplifying the riots in the UK and USA, the prime minister said no country could tolerate such heinous crimes against the state institutions.
He said except May 9, the politicians in the country’s history, despite facing tough circumstances, played role in pacifying the situation either through the slogan of “Pakistan Khappay” or tolerated the hardships without uttering a single word against Pakistan. He said those behind the May 9 attacks had also hurled the allegations of '35 punctures' (a reference to the allegation of polls rigging) and made contradictory statements in cipher case, also undermining Pakistan’s ties with the United States which the incumbent government was trying to improve.
He said the nation had witnessed the May 9 riots and also those who orchestrated and executed the anti-state conspiracy with some people also confessing the same in videos. He said even today, the anti-Pakistan propaganda was being carried out from abroad, and letters were written by some elements to destabilise the national economy.
Minister for Privatisation Abdul Aleem Khan said the freedom of expression and protest were people’s right but there was always a line for the country. He said the rioters of the Capitol Hill were convicted as no one could be given a free hand in the name of freedom of expression.
PPP leader Syed Naveed Qamar said the May 9 incidents showed the perpetrators’ animosity against the state. However, he called for moving ahead of the condemnations by exposing the real culprits and exonerating the innocent.
Pakistan Muslim League-Zia leader Ijazul Haq said that during his 35-year political career marking many ups and downs and agitations, no one ever fought against the country’s institutions. “This was unfortunate and on the same day, I had called it a Black Day in the history. The perpetrators should be punished,” he said and called for uniting the whole nation on a minimum agenda for the betterment of Pakistan.
