Army thwarted May 9 planners' conspiracy to incite confrontation between people, military: ISPR

The armed forces of Pakistan, including the Services Chiefs and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, strongly condemn the "criminal acts perpetrated on May 9, 2023, in which several military installation were attacked by PTI workers.

Last year on May 9, military and civil installations were vandalised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters after the arrest of party founder Imran Khan in a corruption case, Al Qadir Trust case.

Following the violence, a total of 102 persons were arrested for their involvement in the attacks on military establishments, including the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Jinnah House in Lahore, PAF Base Mianwali, and an office of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Faisalabad.

Later, many PTI leaders took a break from politics or left the party condemning attacks on military installations.

"Politically motivated and brainwashed miscreants in an act of rebellion deliberately resorted to violence against state institutions and vandalised sacred symbols of the state and the sites belonging to national heritage," the  Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement issued on Thursday. 

The army's media wing said that it was a futile attempt to bring about a misplaced and shortsighted revolution in the country

The ISPR said that the Pakistan's armed forces thwarted the "insidious conspiracy" by the planners, facilitators and executors of May 9 riots, "who wanted to destabilise the country by inciting confrontation between the people and the military."

"Failing to undermine national harmony and stability, the planner, facilitators and executors of this conspiracy embarked upon a sinister campaign of hate against the Armed Forces and the state with an intent to twist the narrative to their advantage and shift the blame on the state institutions," it added.

The military's media wing made it clear that there can neither be any compromise with the May 9 perpetrators "nor they would be allowed to hoodwink the law of land." 

"Bringing the real culprits of 9th May to justice is paramount to ensure that in [the] future, no one dares to desecrate the memories of our heroes and the symbols of our unity through such an unwarranted conduct in future.

Pakistan's armed forces renewed their resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and defeat the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan, both external and internal.

"Our Shuhada [martyrs] and their families are Pride of Pakistan. The Armed Forces of Pakistan pledge to uphold their dignity and respect at all costs."

The ISPR suther stated that armed forces "hold a very special relationship with the people of Pakistan."  

"Today, let’s join hands to strongly denounce the conspiracies to weaken Pakistan and work together for the prosperity and stability of our beloved country. Pakistan Armed Forces Zinda’bad, Pakistan Painda’bad," it concluded.