Uzma Bukhari condemns Imran Khan's conditional apology, calls him 'mastermind of May 9 uprising'

LAHORE:

Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari has criticised former Prime Minister Imran Khan over his offer of a conditional apology, and labelled him as the 'mastermind behind the failed May 9 insurrection.'

In a statement made on tThursday, Uzma revealed that for a year, people had been systematically brainwashed and incited.

She explained that on the day of Imran Khan's arrest, his key associates caused alarm among supporters by claiming that their leader's life was in danger. It prompted people to take to the streets, she added.

Read Imran Khan offers conditional apology over May 9 events

The Punjab information minister further explained that prior to May 9, Imran Khan had himself warned that if he was arrested again, his supporters would react similarly. International media had also reported that PTI members attacked military installations, she further said.

Uzma stated that the 'mastermind of the May 9 insurrection is now shamelessly asking for a conditional apology.'

"On one hand, he burns the house of Pakistan's founder, and on the other, he shamelessly seeks a conditional apology."

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, who belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) that also rules in the centre,recently stated that there can be no apology for an act of terrorism.

The CM further said that an apology is for a mistake, while a crime warrants punishment.

"Attacking one's own country is terrorism, not a mistake."