Senator draws stark comparison between UK and Pakistan riot trials

The justice systems of Pakistan and the United Kingdom were thrust into the spotlight on Saturday when a member of the ruling party drew a comparison between the two countries' handling of riots—those in the UK following a recent, tragic incident in Southport, England, and the May 9 unrest in Pakistan in 2023.

According to British media reports, the fatal stabbing of three young girls during a dance class in Southport triggered the worst unrest in the UK in more than a decade. The violence, which spread across towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland, was exacerbated by misinformation and far-right, anti-immigration sentiment.

In contrast, Pakistan witnessed severe attacks on key civilian and military installations on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan on corruption charges at the Islamabad High Court. While the Pakistani government labelled the day as "Black Day," the trials of those allegedly involved in the violence are still pending, unlike in the UK, where the courts quickly responded to the unrest.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senior leader, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, compared the judicial responses of the two countries, highlighting the swift actions taken by the UK courts. "In the UK, over 100 people were sent to jail within two weeks of the riots," Siddiqui remarked. "In contrast, those involved in the May 9 riots in Pakistan not only remain unpunished but are even demanding an apology from the state."

Senator Siddiqui lamented the delay in justice, noting that despite the passage of approximately 15 months, the tragic events of May 9 are still awaiting resolution. He pointed out that following the Southport incident and a subsequent false social media campaign, the British courts were immediately ordered to operate 24 hours a day to process the cases.

"The UK judicial system acted swiftly, sending rioters who damaged public and private property to jail within days, even denying bail to those merely present at the scenes of violence," Siddiqui emphasized, quoting Judge Francis Rafferty, who remarked that "someone’s presence at a riot made them involved in the riot."

“Despite the lapse of around 15 months, the tragic incident of May 9 is still awaiting justice as the same was denied,” he said. He pointed out that following the Southport incident and a subsequent false social media campaign, the British courts were immediately ordered to operate 24 hours a day to process the cases.

Read also: PHC refuses to form May 9 commission

Siddiqui pointed out that the judicial system in the UK sent the rioters who damaged public and private property to jail within days and hours.

“Even the spectators of the violent riots were not spared and their bail applications were rejected by the UK courts,” Siddiqui emphasised, quoting Judge Francis Rafferty, who remarked that "someone’s presence at a riot made them involved in the riot."

In his statement on social media platform X, Senator Siddiqui expressed frustration that the May 9 incident in Pakistan continues to "cry for justice," while the alleged perpetrators not only evade accountability but also pressure the state to issue an apology.

This statement is tied to PTI’s incarcerated chairman Imran Khan's stance that he deserves an apology for being arrested on court premises.

Recently, Khan reportedly offered a conditional apology for the May 9 riots if evidence proves that PTI-affiliated individuals were involved in the attacks on civilian and military installations.

Meanwhile, the government has criticised Imran Khan and PTI for deflecting blame rather than offering a straightforward apology for the events of May 9.