ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed his willingness to apologize for the May 9 riots, contingent on the condition for the proof of PTI supporters’ involvement in the violent protests.
During a media interaction at Adiala Jail, following proceedings of the £190 million corruption case against him and Bushra Bibi, Mr. Khan stated that if CCTV footage confirmed that PTI workers had trespassed and attacked government properties, he would not only apologize but also expel those individuals from the party and ensure their prosecution in court.
Mr. Khan also mentioned that he was mishandled on May 9, with Rangers forcibly removing him from the Islamabad High Court premises despite his status as “the most popular leader in Pakistan” with a strong international reputation. He added that his party was not permitted to contest the election.
Mr. Khan reiterated his demand for an apology from those responsible for his arrest, citing the ISPR chief’s recent statement of 5th August that the military’s stance on the May 9 incident remained unchanged. Remember that before the 5th August conference on the 7th May 2024 Press Conference, ISPR’s stance was that the return for PTI was only possible if it asked for an apology and agreed on forming a judicial commission to analyze the 9th May incident. On the other hand, for the very first time, Mr. Khan agreed to ask for a conditional apology. Before that, he had always asked for the reasons for his apology and that the institutions should apologize to him for his abduction, torture, and for targeting his party.
He emphasized that PTI, too, was a victim of the May 9 chaos, as its members faced torture and were prevented from participating in elections.
He recalled his call for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 violence, asserting that there was no evidence linking PTI to the unrest. Regarding the use of petrol bombs, Khan said they were only used in Lahore outside Zaman Park, on which he was told by the journalists that there is CCTV footage of the petrol bombs being used in Rawalpindi on local and organizational bodies’ representatives and sensitive edifices as well. As a response, he said that anyone identified throwing them should be held accountable.
He claimed that on the 9th May riot, the party’s 16 people were killed, three people were injured, and one of them got disabled. As a response, the journalists questioned him if this was the case and why PTI did not issue its details. Mr. Khan then added that his party assisted the casualties financially and that the police forced them not to reveal this.
Addressing comments from the DG ISPR about a paid campaign against Pakistan, Mr. Khan pointed out that the establishment had previously highlighted the corruption of Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari yet facilitated their rise to power through rigged elections. He stressed the importance of defending the army as a national institution.
Mr. Khan referenced Bangladesh’s former PM Sheikh Hasina’s appointing an army chief of her choice who refused to fire on civilians. Furthermore, he compared Pakistan’s current situation, which is unfavorable due to higher unemployment and inflation rates, with that of Bangladesh. He added further that after seeing the overthrow of the Bangladeshi PM’s government, something big is expected in Pakistan as well.
He clarified that he did not idealize Bangladesh’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, but cited the HamoodurRehman Commission report to explain the reasons behind the fall of Dhaka. Mr. Khan reiterated PTI’s commitment to avoiding chaos and expressed readiness to dialogue with the establishment for the public’s benefit. However, he noted that if the establishment were not interested, he would not insist.
He expressed concern that current ruling party leaders, including Asif Zardari, Shehbaz Sharif, and Mohsin Naqvi, might flee the country just like PM Sheikh Hasina, and called for them to be placed on the exit control list, adding that his name could also be added to ECL.
Witnesses Withdrawn
The £190 million case trial may conclude next week after NAB withdrew 14 witnesses on Wednesday.
Out of 59 prosecution witnesses, ten were previously dismissed by NAB, while the defense has cross-examined 35. The final prosecution witness was the NAB investigation officer.
On Wednesday, the bureau informed the accountability judge, Nasir JavedRana, that it would not present the remaining 14 witnesses following a defense application to summon them.
This unexpected withdrawal could expedite the trial’s conclusion within a week, which would have otherwise taken about a month.
Meanwhile, PTI’s legal team has filed for the acquittal of Bushra Bibi.
The case alleges that in 2019, then-PM Imran Khan’s cabinet approved a secret agreement to return £190 million, seized by the UK’s National Crime Agency and returned to Pakistan, to property tycoon Malik Riaz. The case claims Mr. Khan and Bushra Bibi received billions of rupees and land from Bahria Town in exchange for “legalizing” the money.
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