On May 9, 2023, Imran Khan Niazi, the former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party, was arrested by Rangers at the Islamabad High Court and handed over to the National Accountability Bureau for the Al Qadir case. This news caused emotional reactions from Khan’s supporters, who took to the streets and engaged in destructive behavior despite police attempts to calm the situation with shelling.
According to the military’s media wing, there were organized attacks on army properties and installations, and anti-army slogans were raised after Khan’s arrest. However, the army responded with maturity, patience, and restraint, working for the wider interest of the country despite the orders, directives, and pre-planning of some sinister party leadership behind the protests. The facilitators, planners, and political activists involved in the protests have been identified and will face strict action in line with the law.
The army referred to this day, May 9, 2023, as a “dark chapter” in Pakistan’s history.