Imran sets conditions for apology over May 9 riots

FOUNDER of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has said he would tender an apology if any activist of his party was found involved in the mainly anti-army protests that broke out in many parts of the country after his arrest on May 9 last year from the Islamabad High Court.

The former prime minister was talking to journalists in a makeshift courtroom at Adiyala jail in Rawalpindi, where hearings of a case against him are being conducted. He also said the CCTV and other footage of the May 9 riots be produced first.

While almost all the mainstream media houses reported on his remarks, thereby confirming Mr Khan had indeed broached the subject of “apology over the May 9 protests”, some of the reporters seemed to have misread his remarks. As a result, several television channels and websites simply headlined their reports on the matter thus: “Imran offers apology over May 9 riots on conditional basis” or “Imran offers conditional apology over May 9 riots”.

It’s the considered view of this news organisation, however, that Mr Khan didn’t offer any apology, conditionally or otherwise. He chose his words carefully and simply said he would apologise should a piece of evidence emerge which proved the involvement in the riots of a single activist of PTI.

“If any PTI member is found guilty of participating in the events of May 9, I will apologise, expel them from the party, and ensure they face punishment,” he remarked.

The PTI supremo said his party workers were subjected to injustice, with thousands of them imprisoned. Many were not allowed to contest elections and their party was banned. “They are victims of the May 9 incident and are seeking justice,” he said.

His statement came a couple of days after military spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reiterated that the military was firm that those involved in the violent protests on May 9 should apologise and face justice.

The May 9 riots left more than 100 persons dead. The protests had predominantly targeted the army and the extent of such widespread unrest, involving the vandalisation of military properties and installations, is a rare occurrence in Pakistan. The protesters stormed the General Headquarters of the army in Rawalpindi as well the corps commander’s house in Lahore, which was set on fire.

It’s also alleged that during the riots PTI activists and supporters actively sought to create divisions within the military on the issue of treatment meted out to the famous cricketer-turned-politician and former premier.

CLARIFICATION: Due to an unfortunate mix-up, a faulty version of this report was posted earlier on this page. The error is deeply regretted.—Editor