May 9 riots
May 9 Riots | |||
---|---|---|---|
Part of 2022–2023 Pakistan political unrest, 2023 Pakistani protests and Arrest of Imran Khan | |||
Date | 9 May 2023 (2023-05-09) | ||
Location | General Headquarters, Pakistan. Corps Commander House, Lahore | ||
Goals | Release of Imran Khan | ||
Methods | Protests, acts of vandalism, arson | ||
Parties | |||
| |||
Lead figures | |||
No centralised leadership
| |||
Casualties | |||
Death(s) | 8[1] | ||
Arrested | Over 3,200 |
| ||
---|---|---|
Post-premiership
Elections Politics Related
![]() ![]() | ||
|
The May 9 riots, also called the May 9 protests (Urdu: نو مئی فسادات), and known as Black Day by the Pakistani government, were a series of violent riots[2] that took place on 9 May 2023, in Pakistan. Following the arrest of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, from the grounds of the Islamabad High Court, nationwide demonstrations held by PTI's supporters descended into violent riots. Incidents of vandalism, looting, and arson resulted in Rs. 1.98 billion worth of damage inflicted to government and military facilities by PTI workers and members of the public.[3] As the protests suddenly descended into violence and chaos and began attacking law enforcement officers, the government responded with a cellular service and internet blockade and a crackdown against PTI leaders, workers, and supporters, as well as those perceived to be allied to the party's cause within the media and legal fraternity. Trials of civilians within military courts were also initiated and are being challenged in the country's Supreme Court. The PTI alleges that the incidents of 9 May were a false flag operation designed by the military establishment to disintegrate the party and frame Imran Khan.
Background
Imran Khan, the PTI leader and former Pakistani prime minister, was arrested by paramilitary troops on 9 May 2023. In response, PTI supporters and workers began to demonstrate against Khan's arrest in a number of cities, including in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan.[4][5]
Riots and violence
Arson, vandalism, and assaults on governmental and military facilities were committed by rioters, with 62 confirmed breakouts of violence, and at least 40 buildings confirmed to be damaged in the aftermath.[3]
Among the buildings damaged in the riots were the torched residence of the Pakistan Army’s IV Corps Commander in Lahore, the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, PAF’s M.M. Alam airbase in Mianwali, an Inter-Services Intelligence office in Faisalabad, and at a Frontier Corps fort in Chakdara.[3][6]
Punjab Police, utilizing geo-fencing reports, accused Imran Khan and key PTI leaders of orchestrating attacks on the residence of the Lahore corps commander and other critical locations. Police indicated that over 400 calls were made by PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, to direct rioters toward these targets. Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, confirmed the deployment of geo-fencing to monitor these communications, identifying Imran Khan as a principal suspect in planning the assaults. Additional PTI leaders implicated were Hammad Azhar, Yasmin Rashid, Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Ejaz Chaudhary, Mian Aslam Iqbal, and Murad Raas, all allegedly in contact with the rioters, providing precise directives for the attacks.[7]
Anti-terrorism legislation was used, and numerous prosecutions were filed against those responsible for the riots.[8][9] At least five PTI workers were killed by law enforcement officers who fired live ammunition; one death happened in Quetta, while the remaining four happened in Peshawar.[10][11] Along with these ten deaths, hundreds of rioters and law enforcement officers sustained injuries.
Governmental response
The Punjab Home Department established 53 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) made up of police personnel to investigate the cases reported in relation to the riots thoroughly in reaction to the mounting violence. With the consent of the Punjab cabinet subcommittee on law and order, several JITs were created. Each JIT was given a prosecutor from the prosecution department to help with the investigation.[12][13][14]
Arrests and proceedings
Over a thousand people have reportedly been arrested in connection with the rioting in Lahore alone, according to reports from the Punjab Police. According to reports, 3,200 alleged rioters were detained across Punjab. Numerous cases were reported to the police, the bulk of which were covered by anti-terrorism regulations. The most severely affected cities were Lahore, Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan, with variable numbers of cases reported in each place.[8][15][16]
Aftermath
Crackdown against the PTI
A crackdown was initiated against PTI leaders and workers, with thousands arrested, with rights groups raising concerns regarding arbitrary arrests, custodial torture, and forced disappearances.[17][18][19] PTI leaders were forced to quit party/party positions in televised press conferences.[20] Businesses of PTI leaders who did not quit the party were sealed.[21][22][23] Family members of PTI leaders who went into hiding were harassed by police and military intelligence forces.[24] In many instances, their houses were raided late at night and ransacked; valuables were also seized; the dowry for Mian Aslam Iqbal's daughter's wedding was seized by Punjab Police; and the homes of Lal Chand Malhi and Ali Nawaz Awan were demolished.[25][26][27][28] A crackdown was also initiated on vocal women supporters of Khan's party - the most prominent of which was Khadija Shah, a businesswoman and granddaughter of former Pakistani Army Chief, Asif Nawaz Janjua.[29][30] Former Federal Ministers, Shehryar Khan Afridi and Ali Muhammad Khan, former Governor Punjab Omer Sarfraz Cheema, and former Punjab provincial ministers, Yasmin Rashid and Mehmood-ur-Rasheed have been incarcerated since the end of the riots. Even once released by the courts, they were immediately re-arrested in other cases; Khan has been rearrested six times, while Afridi, and Rashid have been rearrested twice.[18] [31][32][33] Cheema's wife was arrested as she came to attend her husband's hearing.[34] Afridi was not allowed to attend his brother's funeral and was kept in inhumane conditions in a 'death cell' reserved for those on death row.[35][36]
Media censorship and abduction of journalists
Mobile internet coverage was suspended as riots spread throughout the country. The ban effected gig workers, including those working for Uber, Foodpanda, and Careem, as well as freelancers and remote workers who relied on mobile internet.[37] It was estimated that during the three days that mobile internet remained suspended, Pakistan's telecom companies bore a loss of Rs. 2.49 billion (US$8.6 million), while the country's software export industry lost Rs. 10 billion (US$35 million).[38] Internet was fully restored across the country on 13 May 2023.[39] The ban was criticized by GSMA as it urged to restore internet services in the country.[40]
Access to social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, was also restricted in the aftermath of the riots.[41] Both the blockage of internet and social media were implemented by Pakistan Telecom Authority after a notification for the same was issued by the interior ministry, under Rana Sanaullah.[42] Access to social media was fully restored by 16 May 2023.[43] However, the government has hinted at another social media blockage with defense minister, Khawaja Asif, claiming that "the script of the May 9 violence was prepared via social media”.[44]
Several leading media houses were called to a secret meeting by the Pakistan Army in which they were directed to ban all coverage of Imran Khan.[45] As a result, Khan's name disappeared overnight from all local print and electronic media, with journalists euphemistically referring to him as "Qasim ke Abba" (Qasim's father) as the moniker became a top twitter trend in Pakistan.[46][47]
Journalists that were seen as aligned with the PTI were targeted. Imran Riaz Khan, one of the most popular journalists on Pakistani social media, was kidnapped from outside Sialkot Central Jail on 11 May 2023 after being initially detained by Punjab Police.[48] He has since remained missing as the chief of Punjab Police, Usman Anwar, put the blame on military agencies for his disappearance in front of the Lahore High Court, and expressed his inability to locate the journalist.[49] Another prominent journalist, Sami Ibrahim, head of Bol News was picked up from Islamabad on 24 May 2023 before being released on 30 May.[50][51] Reporters without Borders and the International Federation of Journalists raised concern over the abductions.[49][52]
Trials of civilians in military courts
In the immediate aftermath, the administration attempted to transfer a number of cases to military courts for trial due to the seriousness of the crimes committed during the riots. Four accused people involved in targeting defense sites had their transfer allowed by an anti-terrorism court in Faisalabad, while eight accused people involved in the attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) had their transfer granted by an ATC in Rawalpindi. Additionally, the commanding officer received 16 suspects, among them an ex-PTI Member of the Provincial Assembly (MPA), who was charged with looting and vandalizing Corp Commander House in Lahore.[8][4][53]
Later, trials of as many as 102 defendants, who were deemed to be involved in attacks on military installation, were transferred from anti-terrorism courts to military courts.[54] The move drew widespread criticism as military courts have been deemed as opaque systems shrouded in secrecy with little regard for human rights and legal Procedures due process by both the United Nations and International Commission of Jurists.[55][56] Several constitutional petitions were made before the Supreme Court of Pakistan to declare the trials unconstitutional, including by the former Chief Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja, who deemed it as "militarization of justice".[57][58] Pakistan People's Party leader and prominent lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, was also one of the petitioners as he considered the move as "a complete anathema to the constitutional separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, the inalienable right of every Pakistani to be treated in accordance with law, and the fundamental rights of life, liberty, fair trial, and due process”.[59] Imran Khan, also filed a civil petition separately.[60] The petitions have been clubbed together into a military courts case with a 6-member Supreme Court larger bench hearing it.[61]
Targeting of lawyers
The legal fraternity, particularly those demanding the upholding of the Constitution of Pakistan and cessation of trials of civilians in military courts, were also targeted. A prominent lawyer, Uzair Bhandari, was abducted and later released after he left Imran Khan's residence after consulting with him on the matter of military courts.[62] The house of Advocate Latif Khosa, former Governor of Punjab, was attacked by armed men after he made a speech against the interim government in Punjab and the trial of civilians in military courts.[63][64]
Judicial Inquiry Demands
After the 2024 general elections, several political figures advocated for a judicial inquiry into the May 9 riots. Ali Amin Gandapur, the newly elected Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), demanded a judicial inquiry in his inaugural speech.[65] Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), endorsed Gandapur's call for a judicial inquiry during a session of the National Assembly.[66] However, Ahsan Iqbal, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), expressed conditional support for a judicial inquiry.[67] He voiced his backing only if the inquiry also investigated similar incidents involving the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Court cases
Following the events, Imran Khan was released after the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared his arrest as 'illegal'.[68] Khan remained free until he was arrested again on several cases, with many being from the military alleging Khan had relation to the riots.[69] The Lahore High Court concluded that there was no evidence that Imran Khan was related to the May 9 riots.[70] Imran Khan also stated that he was ready to apologize for the riots if a single piece of evidence was found that PTI was behind violent rioting, which has not been proven.[71] Imran Khan was found to have no relation to the May 9 events in two other court cases.[72]
In July 2024, a comprehensive order issued by Judge Khalid Arshad of the Anti-Terrorism Court linked PTI's founder, Imran Khan, to the orchestration of attacks on military bases, government buildings, and police personnel. This order disclosed that Khan had directed PTI leaders to incite chaos and apply pressure for his release in the event of his arrest, according to testimonies from two prosecution witnesses. The court document detailed a meeting on 7 May 2023, where Khan allegedly instructed PTI leaders to brace for possible disturbances on May 9 if he were apprehended. In a video message, he reportedly cautioned that Pakistan could face turmoil similar to the Sri Lankan unrest should he be detained, prompting his followers to participate in what he called a "real jihad for real freedom." The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, was also said to back Khan's position, suggesting that a hunger strike by Khan would trigger widespread protests both domestically and internationally. The prosecution argued that Khan masterminded a criminal conspiracy, mobilizing senior PTI figures to provoke actions that led to the attack and arson of the Jinnah House (Corp Commander House, Lahore), with the intention of intimidating the government. Judge Arshad's ruling highlighted that pre-arrest bail is not applicable for individuals plotting to undermine the government and committing acts of terrorism. As a result, Imran Khan's bail application was denied, upholding the court's stance on his supposed participation in the unrest.[73]
Social media trolling
9 May incidents (Urdu: 9 مئی کے واقعات) generated trolling on social media which went haywire in country's political scene due to overemphasis on its condemnation by government and ISPR. Punjab Police decided to crackdown on accounts involved in trolling on various social media platforms.[74]
Observance
On the first anniversary of the May 9 riots, President Asif Ali Zardari called the occasion a "dark day" in Pakistan's history. This incident is very important in the modern political history of the country.[75][76] Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said that the events of May 9 were part of a well thought-out conspiracy. They claimed that the attack on military installations and properties was carried out as part of a planned conspiracy by a political party.[77][78] PTI observes these events as a "False Flag" operation aimed at crushing both the party and its leader, Imran Khan.[79] PTI also condemned what it described as the unlawful detentions and brutal use of state power against its workers, who were peacefully protesting in observance of the alleged May 9 ‘false flag operation’ across the country.[79][80]
First anniversary
The first anniversary of the May 9 riots was marked with various events and ceremonies. A "Black Day" was observed on the anniversary of the incidents in schools and other educational institutions across Rawalpindi. The district administration of Rawalpindi announced the observance of "Black Day" with an official notification.[81]
A delegation of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Punjab Union of Journalists visited Jinnah House in Lahore on the occasion of the first anniversary. He condemned the desecration of the memorials of Pakistan's martyrs and expressed outrage over the burning of Jinnah House and the siege.[82]
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held public gatherings and processions on the first anniversary of the May 9 events,[83] demanding the release of the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, and other arrested leaders and workers.[83]
A PTI spokesperson criticized the government for “using excessive force against PTI under the pretext of a false flag operation on May 9, 2023, to crush the party,” and vowed that they would continue their “peaceful movement to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and achieve Haqiqi Azadi”.[80] Imran Khan announced plans to take legal action to obtain CCTV footage of the May 9 riots,[84] which he claims could expose the true perpetrators.[84] This footage has been missing since May 9, and the authorities have yet to release any evidence proving that PTI leadership or workers were involved in the violent riots.[85] In response to the call given by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to pay homage to the country's martyrs on May 9. A ceremony was organized in Jinnah Convention Centre in honor of the martyrs.[86][87]
Human rights advocates say that political repression has increased in Pakistan since the riots. He maintains that the situation has worsened since the attack on the military installations.[88]
References
- ^ Ali, Malik Asad | Manzoor (2023-05-11). "Eight killed in clashes as Imran lands in NAB custody". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
- ^ Staff, Al Jazeera. "A year since Pakistan's May 9 riots: A timeline of political upheaval". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b c Dawn.com (2024-05-09). "Special report: May 9, mayhem and military trials — a year on". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ a b "May 9 riots 'mastermind' Imran Khan to be tried in military court: Rana Sanaullah".
- ^ "Imran will be tried in military courts for 'planning, executing' May 9 attacks: Rana Sanaullah". 30 May 2023.
- ^ azeem, muhammad (2023-05-15). "50 held over attacking air base". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-06-28.
- ^ Asif Chaudhry (25 May 2023). "Imran and key aides 'planned' May 9 riots, geo-fencing reveals". Dawn. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ a b c "May 9 riots: Over 1k held in city". June 2023.
- ^ "Pakistani government to try violent protesters under army laws".
- ^ "PTI worker killed, six injured in firing at Quetta protest rally". The Express Tribune. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Shah, Amjad Ali (2023-05-11). "At least four killed, several hurt in Peshawar protest". Brecorder. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Punjab home dept notifies 53 JITs for May 9 riots". 28 May 2023.
- ^ "May 9 vandalism: Punjab home department forms seven more JITs". 2 June 2023.
- ^ "JITs tally reaches 61 as seven more teams formed". 2 June 2023.
- ^ "May 9 protests: 3200 rioters arrested in Punjab". 15 May 2023.
- ^ "LHC seeks report on identification of May 9 rioters".
- ^ "Pakistan: End crackdown on political opposition". Amnesty International. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ a b "Repeated arrests, filthy cells in Pakistan: Inside Sharif government's crackdown on PTI". Firstpost. 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Shah, Saeed (2023-05-25). "Pakistan's Opposition Begins to Crack After Thousands Arrested". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "'Forced divorces': Imran reacts to leaders' exodus from PTI". The Express Tribune. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Hussain, Abid. "Imran Khan supporters say their businesses targeted in Pakistan". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "PTI's Patafi brothers' businesses sealed". DAWN.COM. 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "PTI ex-MPA Jaura's store, restaurant sealed". DAWN.COM. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan Army: More Than 100 Ex-PM Khan Supporters on Trial in Military Courts". VOA. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Imran blasts govt for crossing all limits of 'barbarism'". Pakistan Today. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Malik, Mansoor (2023-06-05). "PTI defectors set up 'Democrats' group under Murad Raas". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "PTI strongly condemns demolition of Lal Malhi's house". MM News. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "PTI's Ali Nawaz Awan claims Islamabad administration partially demolished his house". DAWN.COM. 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan: How Khan crackdown imperils women in politics". dw.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Khadija Shah, other PTI women supporters sent to jail on judicial remand". Pakistan Today. 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "PTI's Ali Mohammad Khan rearrested". The Express Tribune. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Shehryar Afridi, Ali Muhammad Khan rearrested after release from Adiala Jail". Pakistan Today. 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Yasmin handed over to police on two-day physical remand". The Express Tribune. 2023-06-10. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Omar Sarfraz Cheema's wife arrested for involvement in May 9 riots". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Sher, Fazal (2023-06-18). "Shehryar Afridi sent on two-day police remand". Brecorder. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Sigamony, Terence J. (2023-05-30). "IHC 'informed' PTI's Afridi is in 'death cell'". Brecorder. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Adil, Hafsa. "'Ruined my livelihood': Pakistan internet shutdown hits millions". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Internet suspension causes loss of Rs2.49b to telecom sector in Pakistan". The Nation. 2023-05-12. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan restores internet service after three-day shutdown". The Nation. 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Hussain, Bilal (2023-05-12). "'Far-reaching effects': GSMA urges Pakistan to restore internet services". Brecorder. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Social media blackout: users still facing restrictions accessing YouTube, Twitter". Brecorder. 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan's telecom regulator says social media access 'restricted' until further orders from interior ministry". Arab News PK. 2023-05-14. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Social Media Has Been Completely Restored Across Pakistan". TechJuice. 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Asif hints at more social media curbs, if needed". DAWN.COM. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Grim, Ryan; Hussain, Murtaza; Ahmed, Waqas (2023-06-02). "In Secret Meeting, Pakistani Military Ordered Press to Stop Covering Imran Khan". The Intercept. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Bhagyashree (2023-06-07). "Imran Khan: 'Qasim Ke Abbu' trending in Pakistan, what is its Imran connection? know here". News Day Express. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ ڈیسک, سوشل (2023-06-03). "قاسم کے ابا" ٹویٹر پر ٹاپ ٹرینڈ بن گیا، آخر یہ قاسم کے ابا ہیں کون؟". WE News (in Urdu). Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Hussain, Abid. "Journalist Imran Riaz Khan still missing in Pakistan". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ a b "Where is the Pakistani TV anchor who has been missing for 12 days?". rsf.org. 2023-05-23. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Anchorperson Sami Ibrahim 'missing' from Islamabad". Daily Times. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Abductors free BOL News President Sami Ibrahim - Journalism Pakistan". www.journalismpakistan.com. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan: Journalists missing amidst PTI crackdown / IFJ". International Federation of Journalists. 2023-06-01. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Pakistan: Don't Try Civilians in Military Courts". 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan says 102 in military court over ex-PM Khan arrest violence". France 24. 2023-06-26. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
- ^ "Committee against Torture examines initial report of Pakistan". OHCHR. Retrieved 2023-06-26.
- ^ "Military Injustice in Pakistan" (PDF). International Commission of Jurists. January 2019. p. 3. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Supplementary Cause List 324 of 2023" (PDF). Supreme Court of Pakistan. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- ^ "Former CJ also challenges military courts". The Express Tribune. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Bhatti, Haseeb (2023-06-17). "Aitzaz Ahsan moves SC against military trials of May 9 suspects". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Iqbal, Nasir (2023-05-26). "Civilians' trial by military illegal in peacetime: Imran". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Military courts case: AGP submits details of 102 arrested accused in SC". Dunya News. 2023-06-28. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Imran Khan condemns 'abduction' of Advocate Bhandari". 2023-06-18. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Sardar Latif Khosa blames house attack on those who didn't like his speeches". DAWN.COM. 2023-06-18. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ "Firing at Latif Khosa's residence injures driver". The Express Tribune. 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
- ^ Farooq, Umer (2024-03-02). "CM Gandapur demands judicial probe into May 9". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Dawn.com (2024-03-04). "In noisy NA session, Bilawal endorses PTI's call for judicial inquiry into May 9 riots". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Ahsan Iqbal supports call for judicial inquiry into May 9 riots". The Express Tribune. 2024-03-05. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ "Imran Khan: Pakistan's Supreme Court rules arrest was illegal". 2023-05-11. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Imran Khan 'arrested' by Lahore police over dozen of cases related to May 9 riots". Firstpost. 2024-07-15. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Correspondent, Our (2024-07-28). "No evidence linking Imran to May 9: LHC". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ Asad, Malik (2024-08-08). "Imran 'ready to apologise' if PTI role in riots proved". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ "Pakistan court acquits Imran Khan in two cases related to May 9 riots". The Indian Express. 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
- ^ Rana Yasif (11 July 2024). "Court order reveals Imran Khan's role in targeting military installations, govt properties". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ خان, بابر (2023-06-02). "9 مئی واقعات، سوشل میڈیا پر ٹرولنگ کرنے والوں کو گرفتار کرنے کا فیصلہ". ARYNews.tv | Urdu - Har Lamha Bakhabar (in Urdu). Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "President Zardari says May 9 to be remembered as 'dark day' on eve of 1st anniversary". 9 May 2024.
- ^ "'May 9' will always be remembered as dark day: President Zardari".
- ^ "Defence minister says May 9 was a planned conspiracy". 5 May 2024.
- ^ "May 9 Was a Planned Conspiracy: Khawaja Asif".
- ^ a b "'Imran to Nation': May 9 false flag operation pre-planned to crush PTI". 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ a b "PTI holds rallies in various cities to mark May 9 anniversary". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ "May 9 riots: Rawalpindi schools to observe 'Black Day' tomorrow".
- ^ "Delegation of PFUJ, PUJ visits Jinnah House". 8 May 2024.
- ^ a b Report, Bureau (2024-05-09). "PTI to hold rallies on first anniversary of May 9 violent protests". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
{{cite web}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b Correspondent, Our (2024-08-11). "Imran to pursue legal action for May 9 footage". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
{{cite web}}
:|last=
has generic name (help) - ^ "Will apologise if CCTV footage proved PTI activists behind May 9 violence, says Imran". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
- ^ "To counter PTI's call: PM to pay tribute to martyrs tomorrow".
- ^ "On May 9, govt convenes cabinet meeting, ceremony to pay tribute to martyrs". 8 May 2024.
- ^ "Rights groups: Repression in Pakistan worse 1 year after assault on military installations". May 5, 2024 – via www.voanews.com.