COAS General Asim vows not allowing May 9 incidents
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir has vowed to ensure that all individuals responsible for bringing disgrace to the nation on May 9, also known as the Black Day, will face justice.
During a visit to the Sialkot Garrison, the army chief paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s pride and dignity. He laid floral wreaths at the Martyrs’ Monument, emphasizing that the martyrs will always be honored and respected in the highest regard by the State of Pakistan and the Armed Forces.
General Munir made it clear that disrespect towards the martyrs and their monuments would not be tolerated. He stressed that they serve as a source of inspiration and pride for the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, government officials, and the people of Pakistan. He further stated that the tragic incidents that occurred recently would never be allowed to happen again under any circumstances.
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During his interaction with officers and troops, the COAS highlighted the importance of maintaining professionalism and preparedness to address internal and external security challenges, including propaganda warfare.
The press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) marks one of several condemnations from both the army and the government following the events of May 9, which involved the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
On that day, Imran Khan was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with the assistance of the paramilitary Rangers at the Islamabad High Court in the Al Qadir Trust case. This development sparked protests nationwide, accompanied by incidents of vandalism and violence.
In response, the military released three statements related to the May 9 events. The first statement described the day as a dark chapter in the country’s history. The second statement, issued last week, expressed the military’s intolerance towards any further attempts to violate the sanctity and security of its installations or engage in vandalism. The military vowed to bring to justice all those involved in planning, instigating, and executing acts of vandalism.
In a more decisive step, the top military leadership, during a special Corps Commanders Conference, committed to bringing the arsonists responsible for attacking civil and military installations to justice through trial under relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.
The recent National Security Committee meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reaffirmed the commitment to try the individuals involved in the May 9 violence under army laws. The National Security Committee is the highest forum for coordinating security matters in the country.