By Imtiaz Hussain Abro.
Cabinet committee constituted to probe May 9 riots.
A cabinet committee has been established to investigate the riots that occurred on May 9, which were a nationwide response to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The committee’s objective is to identify the “masterminds, planners, facilitators, and executors” involved in the incidents.
The arrest of Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau, with assistance from the paramilitary Rangers at the Islamabad High Court in the Al Qadir Trust case, triggered widespread protests that resulted in vandalism and violence on May 9 of the previous year.
Described as a “dark chapter” by the military, these events led to the decision to prosecute the rioters under relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act. Despite opposition from human rights organizations and activists, the National Security Committee supported this decision.
Subsequently, military courts have conducted trials for several individuals, including activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, while some party leaders have resigned from PTI, condemning the violence on the day of Imran’s arrest and the subsequent attacks on military installations.
In addition to the legal proceedings, the caretaker government has formed a committee to investigate these incidents. According to a notification from the Cabinet Division, the committee consists of the ministers for law and justice, interior, information and broadcasting, human rights, and potentially a co-opted member to address any emerging issues during the committee’s proceedings.
The committee has been assigned specific terms of reference, which include examining the events of May 9 to determine the roles, identities, and causes of those responsible, as well as assessing the immediate and long-term consequences. The committee is also responsible for proposing preventive measures to avoid similar breaches of national security and recommending improvements to existing legal frameworks to deter such incidents.
The Ministry of Interior will provide secretarial support, and the committee is expected to submit its report to the cabinet within a 14-day timeframe.
