People have ‘rejected’ May 9 narrative: Fazl

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has claimed that if the ‘powerful circles’ did not admit that the February 8 general elections were “rigged”, then that meant that the people had also “rejected” their narrative on last year’s May 9 violence, according to a news report carried by BBC Urdu.

Speaking in an interview with renowned journalist Hamid Mir on a private TV news channel aired on Tuesday, Fazl said the JUI-F had also protested against the May 9 riots allegedly staged by enraged PTI leaders and activists when the law enforcement agencies arrested their founding chairman, former premier Imran Khan, for the first time from within the premises of the Islamabad High Court in connection with a corruption case.

 “The entire nation took notice of the attacks on state institutions,” he added.

The JUI-F chief said the question that arose – keeping apart what the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general had said in his news conference -- was that whether the general elections held in February this year were rigged or not.

Against expectations, the PTI-backed independent candidates managed to secure several seats in the general polls this year.

“Either they [‘powerful circles’] should concede that the general elections were rigged. If they don’t, [it’s clear that] the people have rejected their May 9 narrative.”

The Maulana clarified that his upcoming protest on May 9 was not linked to the attacks on the security establishment’s installations last year.

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Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said May 9 would always be a reminder that a person and his group attacked the assets of the country for their personal agenda and lust for power.

“A well-thought-out plan was executed [on May 9, 2023]. The Constitution and law will decide the punishment for these characters [involved in the May 9 violence],” he added.

Taking on social media platform X, analyst Salman Masood wrote that there was “lot to unpack” in the ISPR DG’s news conference, but the ‘May 9’ issue stood out.

“[The] DG ISPR clearly outlined the rules of engagement: apologise for the events of May 9, ensure accountability for those involved in violent attacks, and then move forward,” he added.

However, Masood continued that the PTI leadership had thus far refrained from issuing a public apology.

“With the wind of the Feb 8 elections at their back, and many sympathetic in [the] judiciary, they [PTI] believe they can weather the pressure.”