President urges PTI chief to denounce May 9 rioting

KARACHI:

President Dr Arif Alvi, who belongs to the PTI, on Thursday said his party chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan should condemn the violence triggered on May 9 in the wake of the latter’s arrest.

Speaking to a private news channel, the president stressed the need for bringing those involved in the May 9 mayhem -- including the attack on Lahore’s Jinnah House and military installations across the country -- to justice.

However, he added that these incidents should be thoroughly and Independently investigated first.

President Alvi called for taking into account human rights and avoid torture in the crackdown on those involved in the May 9 violence.

At the same time, he also said any protest must be staged within the law.

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The president said he had written a letter to the army chief, expressing his grief over the May 9 violence and the attacks on the military installations.

He pointed out that PPP stalwart Raza Rabbani had opposed military courts and demanded trying the May 9 culprits by the civilian judiciary.

“This is a good tradition and politicians should discuss this matter,” he added.

The president conceded that military courts set up during the premiership of Imran were a wrong decision.

However, he continued that as soon as these military courts reached their scheduled time, the cases were transferred to the civilian judiciary.

Alvi noted that the Supreme Court and parliament had also overturned some decisions taken under the Army Act.

“Politicians have to think about the cases registered under this law [Army Act],” he added.

The president maintained that there was a need to review the cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) because this law was also misused.

He recalled that cases were registered against him under the ATA as well.

Alvi hoped that the new government would determine the proper use of this law.

Read more Punjab govt refutes Imran's allegations of police violence on May 9

Noting that parliament was accusing the Supreme Court of spreading lawlessness, he claimed that the anarchy spread by police was in front of everyone to witness.

The president was of the view that the reason for Pakistan’s survival was the patience of its poor, who put up with all the difficulties and still thought of the country's welfare.

He continued that of the country went down, the rich class would disappear as well.

The president claimed that his party chief had not opposed the appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

He added that Imran had asked him to tell then army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa that he should appoint anyone as the next COAS the military gave the nod to.

In fact, Alvi maintained that even during meetings between Imran and Bajwa, no preferences were discussed in connection with the next army chief.