• Terms it ‘one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s political history’
• TTAP alleges events were used to justify political actions against opponents, harm democratic freedoms

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Teh­reek-i-Insaf (PTI) has termed May 9 as one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s political history, alleging that the country’s most popular leader and former prime minister, Imran Khan, was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court.

The party demanded the formation of a powerful and independent judicial commission to conduct a transparent, impartial, and credible investigation into the events of May 9, 2023, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram alleged that the arrest of the PTI founder not only violated the sanctity of the judiciary but also set a dangerous precedent of state repression and authoritarianism.

He stated that the arrest constituted a clear violation of the Constitution, the law, fundamental rights, and democratic norms. He also demanded the immediate release of Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other prisoners without further delay.

Mr Akram reiterated the party’s long-standing demand for the formation of an empowered and independent judicial commission comprising senior serving judges of the Supreme Court to conduct transparent and impartial investigations into the May 9 events. He maintained that only a judicial inquiry could uncover the truth, identify those responsible, and ensure accountability.

He also expressed serious concerns over the disappearance of CCTV footage related to the May 9 incidents, questioning the transparency of the investigations. He said the absence of such crucial evidence raises significant doubts about the fairness of the process.

He further demanded the immediate release of all detainees arrested in the aftermath of May 9, including women, arguing that many had been detained without evidence or proper legal justification.

The PTI leader recalled that Imran Khan had repeatedly demanded the formation of an independent judicial commission to determine responsibility for the events. However, despite repeated calls, no such commission had been established, nor had the truth been presented to the nation, which he said was contrary to the principles of justice.

“We once again demand the immediate formation of a judicial commission comprising senior judges of the Supreme Court. All CCTV footage related to the events of May 9 must be made public without delay,” he said.

He added that Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, and all detainees — particularly women — should be released immediately, while the actual perpetrators should be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

“The nation awaits the truth. No matter how much facts are suppressed, they eventually come to light,” Mr Akram added.

Meanwhile, Tehreek Tahaffuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) also stated that May 9, 2023, was one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s political history, when an attempt was allegedly made to alter the country’s political direction through unconstitutional and unlawful means.

TTAP spokesperson Hussain Ahmed Yousafzai said the opposition alliance believed that the events of May 9 were primarily used as justification for political actions against opponents, causing serious damage to constitutional freedoms, fundamental rights, and the democratic political process in the country.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2026