Punjab’s senior minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, who had been maintaining a low profile regarding political statements since the formation of the PML-N government, has joined the party’s top leadership in demanding the conviction of all culprits involved in the May 9 riots, particularly former premier Imran Khan. This follows his reported “confessional statement” about calling for a “peaceful protest” outside the army headquarters after his arrest.
Several PML-N leaders, including Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Senator Talal Chaudhry, and federal and provincial ministers Attaullah Tarar, Khawaja Asif, Rana Tanvir Hussain, Khurram Dastgir, Rana Mashhood, and Azma Bokhari, have already called for Imran Khan’s conviction for terrorism, citing his “confessional statement of attacking the military installations.”
In response to the PML-N’s demands, PTI’s Punjab chapter information secretary Shaukat Basra urged those labeling his party a “terrorist organization” to reconsider, reminding them that Maryam Nawaz had previously accused judges of partiality during her campaign against the superior judiciary.
At a news conference, Ms. Aurangzeb stated, “After his confessional statement, Imran Khan must be punished by the courts. He admitted to calling for the May 9 events. The evidence was witnessed by the entire nation on screens as the PTI has been attacking the state since 2014.”
Addressing the judiciary, she declared, “If you do not punish Imran Khan, then tomorrow you will have to allow all terror groups into the political framework.”
When asked if PTI leaders and workers accused of the May 9 incidents were getting bail due to weak prosecution, Ms. Aurangzeb replied, “It is not the weakness of the prosecution. If they are pardoned today, then tomorrow you and I should also be pardoned for any crime. I urge the judiciary, parliament, and political leaders and workers to consider what we must do for this country.”
Criticizing the former premier, she accused him of initiating a “campaign of digital terrorism” by participating in foreign conspiracies and damaging the country’s reputation. “In 2022, he even advised the IMF not to provide financial assistance to Pakistan, pushing us towards default.”
She emphasized that no one would be allowed to hold the country’s “institutions hostage and act arbitrarily.”
According to her, Mr. Khan used people as “zombies against the state” under the guise of a political party. “It is now necessary to punish him. He does not understand the definition of a democratic and political party or a terrorist organization. The person who brought hunger to the country will now see people going on hunger strikes against him,” she asserted, stressing the need for equal application of the law.
Regarding whether the PML-N government feared being ousted before completing its tenure, the provincial minister said, “We will complete our five-year term.”
In a sharp reaction, PTI leader Shaukat Basra reminded the PML-N of Ms. Nawaz’s campaign against the superior judiciary, during which she accused judges of partiality. He noted that PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had criticized the military leadership in his speeches and statements. Mr. Basra claimed that Maryam Nawaz promoted anti-military slogans in her public meetings and that the Sharif family had historically clashed with state institutions when in power.
He argued that the PML-N was struggling to accept the Supreme Court’s full bench order recognizing the PTI as a political party and granting it its share of reserved seats. “Marriyum Aurangzeb is merely trying to show loyalty to her party without any real substance,” he commented.
Asserting that Mr. Khan would be out of jail by October and become the next prime minister, he said the PML-N’s false narrative was collapsing as the PTI founder was being exonerated from every case against him. He added that the people, through their votes, had already rejected the PML-N government’s May 9 narrative, with around 30 million Pakistanis voting for PTI-backed candidates in the February 8 general elections.