• Opposition Muttahida, JI members support resolution tabled by ruling PPP
• MQM-P’s Fauzia Hameed demands ban on PTI

KARACHI: Amid a walkout by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) lawmakers, the Sindh Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution recognising May 9 as a ‘black day’ with members demanding exemplary punishment for those masterminded and carried out the attacks on military installations last year.

Chanting pro-Imran slogans, the six PTI members left the house before the resolution against their party was adopted by the Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and Jamaat-i-Islami members.

As PPP’s Sadia Javed tabled the resolution, Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah rose with the permission of the chair to speak on it, but he was interrupted by Leader of the Opposition Ali Khurshidi of the MQM-P, who said that the opposition also wanted to present its resolution on May 9 mayhem.

However, he was not allowed as Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah pointed out to the speaker that another resolution could be taken after the conclusion of the already tabled resolution.

The PTI members also wanted to present their resolution against the action taken against the party leadership in the aftermath of May 9 incidents, but Speaker Awais Shah told them that they would be given time after the proceedings on the PPP resolution were concluded.

The resolution said: “The House condemns the violent riots instigated by a former political party (PTI) on May 9, 2023. We recognise May 9 as a dark day in Pakistan’s history, when a suspect’s (Imran Khan Niazi’s) arrest was exploited to unleash widespread destruction and chaos in whole country. Pakistan’s critical defence installations were attacked, national memorial heritage sites were vandalised, and innocent civilians were killed and robbed.”

It said that the May 9 incidents were only the beginning and in its aftermath the country was subjected to a systematic campaign of isolation, with malicious and reckless statements made about country’s allies and friendly nations.

The resolution said that letters were sent to international financial institutions, including the IMF, in an attempt to economically destabilise and bankrupt Pakistan.

“This House of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh is of the view that May 9 incident was carefully planned and deliberate conspiracy. Furthermore, this House urge the government to hold the architects and all individuals involved in the May 9 tragedy accountable, ensuring such reprehensible acts are never repeated in Pakistan.”

Speaking on the resolution, the PPP and MQM-P members said that the integrity and stability of Pakistan was the highest priority for them and the entire nation was with its armed forces and the martyrs of the nation who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the motherland.

They said that those who “insulted” them and “damaged” national monuments did not deserve any concession.

CM Shah came down heavily on the PTI founder and said that the enemies of Pakistan had started hatching conspiracy against the country since its creation and they always looked for people who could fulfil their designs.

He said that it was very important that the planners and facilitators of the May 9 incident were punished as these elements were once again trying to poison the minds of the youth through social media. “There should be no soft corner for anti-national elements nor do they deserve any concession,” he added.

Opposition Leader Khurshidi supported the resolution and said that Pakistan was the motherland and this was their red line. He said that peace could not be established in the country without punishing the planners of May 9.

“We are proud of being the children of the founders of Pakistan, but some people are still following the fascist leader,” he said referring to the PTI founder.

Opening debate on the resolution, Minister Sardar Shah strongly condemned the attacks on army installation and monuments of martyrs on May 9 last year after the arrest of the PTI founder. He said that May 9 was the drop scene of the movie which had been launched 27 years ago when the PTI came into existence.

He said that the country was standing on the crossroad and pro-people policies would have to be formulated to safe the country. He said that PPP always remained in forefront to save the country from its enemies.

MQM-P’s Fouzia Hameed said that the attacks carried out by the “PTI terrorists” on the army installation and monuments of martyrs could not be justified in any way.

She said that those who designed these attacks and misled the youth should be exposed and demanded that the PTI should be banned.

PPP’s Faryal Talpur, Saeed Ghani, Nasir Hussain Shah and Zia Lanjar, MQM-P’s Abdul Wasim, Sabir Qaimkhani, Talha Ahmed Khan, and JI’s lone member Muhammad Farooq also spoke on the resolution.

Later, the house was prorogued.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2024