Delay in punishments boosted morale of facilitators: Khawaja Asif on sentences of PTI workers

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that delays in the punishments of suspects involved in May 9 riots emboldened its facilitators. He emphasised the need for "immediate action" to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent further instability.

His remarks came after the ISPR announced that military courts had sentenced 25 individuals involved in the attack on Jinnah House, Lahore, during the May 9 riots that erupted following Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

“Justice should have been delivered immediately, as is done in countries like America and Britain,” Khawaja Asif stated in a post on his X handle. He added, “This delay has boosted the morale of the accused and their facilitators.”

He reiterated that on that day, the statues of "martyred soldiers and ghazis" were desecrated, and even a condemnation of this dark chapter in the country’s history has been "avoided by some."

The minister underscored the need to apprehend the masterminds behind the May 9 unrest, stating that justice will only be served when “the law catches those who planned this horrific day.”

Moreover, he warned that “the enemies of the country will continue to boost the morale of such elements.”

x.com

آج سانحہ 9مئی کے 25ملزموں کو سزائیں سنائی گئی ھیں۔ ھونا تو چاہئے تھا کہ امریکہ اور برطانیہ کی طرح فوری انصاف ھوتا۔ اس تاخیر نے ملزموں اور انکے سہولت کاروں کے حوصلے بڑھاۓ۔ ایک تاریک دن کی مذمت سے بھی گریز کیا گیا۔ جس سے شہداء اور غازیوں کی توھین کرنے والوں کو ھییرو بنا یا گیا۔…

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) December 21, 2024

On May 9, 2023, an aggressive mob took to the streets following the arrest of Imran Khan outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC). 

The mob burned down the PML-N office, set fire to military, civil, and private installations, and caused significant damage to government and private property. At least eight people were killed while 290 were injured in the unrest.