No deal with architects of May 9: COAS

On May 9 anniversary, army chief warns against misconstruing restraint as weakness

QUETTA:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir has reiterated the resolve to ensure justice for the planners, abettors, facilitators, and culprits of the May 9 incident, stating that they will be brought to account within the framework of law.
General Munir stressed that the patience exhibited by the military leadership in the face of daily provocations, which flout the Constitution, has its limits and should not be misinterpreted as weakness.

General Munir made the remarks during his visit to Lahore Garrison on Thursday to commemorate the first anniversary of the May 9 unrest. The turmoil ensued with nationwide protests targeting sensitive state and military installations following the arrest of former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on May 9, 2023.

The installations attacked included the army’s General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and the corps commander's house in Lahore. The Radio Pakistan premises in Peshawar was also targeted as protesters set fire to the main building.

Also read: Army says 'no compromise' with May 9 planners, executors

During his visit to Lahore Garrison, General Munir paid tribute to the martyrs by laying a floral wreath at the Martyrs' Monument, honouring those who sacrificed their lives for the nation. He was briefed extensively on the operational preparedness of the formation.

Addressing the garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters, General Munir commended their dedication to the nation and lauded their professionalism.

The COAS underscored that inimical forces and their abettors have unleashed digitial terrorism and are trying hard to create division between armed forces and people of Pakistan through peddling lies, fake news and propaganda. However, the designs of all these forces will be defeated with the support of the nation, he added.

The army chief asserted that every soldier and officer of Pakistan Army puts his duties and responsibilities first, regardless of any other affiliations or preferences and continue to render extreme sacrifices on daily basis.

The army chief said that May 9 will undoubtedly remain a black day in the history of Pakistan when deliberately indoctrinated and insidiously guided miscreants attacked the symbols of the state and national unity, disgracefully desecrating the martyrs monuments.

Due to these deplorable acts of criminally orchestrated violence, enemies of Pakistan were provided the opportunity to mock the state and the nation.

The COAS deplored that now the same plotters were brazenly and shamelessly trying to twist the narrative and implicate the state in this despicable endeavour.

“This mindset is precisely the reason why there can be no compromise or deal with the planners and architects of this dark chapter in our history. Those gullible elements, who did not understand the real motive behind this criminal enterprise and were used as cannon fodder for the political ambitions of the masterminds, have already been accorded reasonable benefit of doubt on the direction of Supreme Court of Pakistan.

“However, the real leaders, who present themselves as victims now, will be held accountable for their actions, particularly when there is irrefutable evidence of their involvement and complicity in organised violence and sabotage,” he maintained.

Gen Munir reassured the officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army that no one will be allowed to disrespect Shuhada, their families or the institution.

“However, the real leaders, who present themselves as victims now, will be held accountable for their actions, particularly when there is irrefutable evidence of their involvement and complicity in organised violence and sabotage,” he maintained.

Gen Munir reassured the officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army that no one will be allowed to disrespect Shuhada, their families or the institution.

 

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Later, the army chief while inaugurating Jinnah Library at Lahore Garrison stated that we being the constructive forces have rekindled the memory of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah by building this public library over the piles of ash and rubble created by the destructive forces.

Earlier on his arrival, Gen Munir was received by Commander Lahore Corps