PTI leadership pulls weight behind founder’s appology stance

Opposition Leader in National Assembly Omar Ayub has seconded Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s stance on the May 9 incidents.

The PTI secretary general said that the party founder demanded authorities publicize CCTV footage exposing the May 9 rioters.

He questioned why CCTV footage is not being publicized. He said the PTI leadership was ‘under trap’ .

He stressed: “Our names are already on the ECL. There are still many more who should be on ECL.”

“I did not hear the ISPR DG speech, every institution including the army is under the state.”

He said former Bangladesh premier Hasina Wajid went to India by helicopter, but a helicopter from Islamabad would not ‘work’.  However, he added they ( rulers) can go to Amritsar by helicopter from Lahore.

Talking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Aleema Khan said Imran Khan asked for a fair investigation and trail and said to bring to book the rioters.

She added: “The founding chairman said that if any of our members are involved in the May 9 incident, I will apologize and if anyone attacked and vandalized the facilities, I will expel him from the party.

 “During the hearing of May 9 cases in Lahore, the investigating officer did not have any evidence.

“It would be better if you apologize because you know that the attacks on May 9 were not carried out by PTI people.

She claimed: “Our cases are pending in the Election Commission. The Election Commission has the responsibility to decide on them within 180 days.

She added “Imran Khan is not begging for his stolen mandate back. Those who are in jail in the May 9 cases should have their cases dropped.

“Nawaz Sharif illegally took vehicles from Toshakhan but no case has been raised so far.

“If the head of ECP fails to fulfil his statutory responsibility, Article 6 applies.”

Earlier, PTI founder Imran Khan said he would offer a conditional apology regarding the violent protests that occurred on May 9, provided that CCTV footage of the events is produced first.

This announcement came during an informal conversation with journalists in a courtroom. Khan stated that the PTI faced significant hardships, including the imprisonment of 10,000 members, restrictions on contesting elections, and the party's ban.

The violent protests saw attacks on public properties including military installations in many parts of the country, prompting the civil and military leadership to try the rioters under the Army Act.

The PTI chief has time and again distanced his party from the protests, alleging that the riots were pre-planned and staged to launch a crackdown on his party.

"I will sack and seek punishment for the PTI members if they were found involved [in the May 9 incidents]," he added.