Zartaj Gul Demands Transparent Probe into May 9 Violence

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaderZartaj Gulhas called for a transparent investigation into the May 9 incidents of violence, terming it a national necessity. Speaking to reporters after a court hearing in Faisalabad on Thursday, Gul described the events as a"drama" staged to eliminate the PTIfrom the country's political landscape.

Why this matters: A thorough investigation into the May 9 violence could have significant implications for the political stability of Pakistan, and may influence the trajectory of the country's democratic process. The outcome of the probe could also impact the future of the PTI as a political force in the country.

A district and sessions court extended the bails of Gul and fellow PTI leaders Azam Swati and Qasim Satti in cases related to the May 9 unrest. Swati reiterated the demand for a joint investigation team (JIT) to identify those responsible for the violence. He emphasized the need for the rule of law in the country to steer it out of crises.

Gul and Swati both criticized the arrests and detention of PTI youth in what they termed false and fabricated cases. "I salute those rotting in jails," Gul declared. Swati appealed to the courts to decide cases involving PTI leaders and workers on merit.

The PTI has been at loggerheads with the government since the ouster of former prime minister and party chairman Imran Khan in April 2022. Tensions escalated dramatically on May 9, when Khan's arrest in Islamabad triggered violent protests by PTI supporters across Pakistan. They attacked military installations, government buildings, and public property.

In the aftermath, authorities launched a massive crackdown on the PTI, arresting thousands of party workers and leaders. Many remain in detention as investigations continue. The party has accused the government of using the May 9 events as a pretext to crush the PTI and remove it as a political force.

Gul announced that the PTI plans to hold a gathering on May 10, promising it will be peaceful. As political tensions continue to simmer in Pakistan, the demands for a transparent and impartial probe into the May 9 violence are likely to intensify. The outcome could have significant implications for the PTI's future and the country's political stability in the months ahead.

Key Takeaways

• PTI leader Zartaj Gul demands transparent investigation into May 9 violence, calling it a "national necessity".
• A thorough probe could impact Pakistan's political stability and the PTI's future as a political force.
• Bails of PTI leaders Zartaj Gul and Azam Swati extended in cases related to May 9 unrest.
• PTI leaders criticize arrests and detention of party youth in "false and fabricated cases".
• PTI plans to hold a peaceful gathering on May 10, amid demands for a transparent probe into May 9 violence.