"No forgiveness for those who orchestrated May 9 attacks," vows PM Shehbaz

Black Day is being observed in Pakistan today (Thursday) to mark the first anniversary of the May 9, 2023, violent attacks.

Last year on May 9,  several 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, it was decided to try suspects of May 9 in military courts, however, the decision was declared null and void by a five-member Supreme Court  (SC) bench on October 23.

Condemning the violence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed not to allow anyone to "assault the sanctity of our sacred homeland."

"One year ago today, not only were symbols of our national pride and honor attacked, but the sanctity of our sacred homeland was also assaulted," he said in a post on the microblogging site X.

The premier further said that "there can be no absolution for those who orchestrated, supported, and assisted the attempt to damage the foundations of our nation."

"Love of our country demands nothing less," he concluded with the hashtag #May9NeverAgain.