May 9 Perpetrators must appear in court for the sake of the legal system: DG ISPR

ISLAMABAD: ISPR Director General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Tuesday stated that the violent riots of May 9 were not only an attack on the Pakistani army but on the entire nation. He stressed the need to preserve the justice system and stressed the need to arrest those responsible for the incidents.

Speaking at a press conference, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry noted that both the people and the armed forces witnessed the events of May 9. He highlighted how people were influenced by false propaganda, leading to orchestrated attacks on military installations across the country. Chaudhry noted a shift in public sentiment away from extremist groups after May 9, stating that deceptive tactics would no longer be tolerated.

The ISPR spokesperson lamented the poisoning of innocent minds leading to violence resulting in damage to the army, martyrs and property of the country.

Responding to the ongoing fight against terrorism, Chaudhry reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace. He underlined Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghan refugees while noting the continued presence of TTP terrorists operating from Afghan territory. Chaudhry highlighted evidence linking recent terrorist activities in Pakistan to Afghan-based groups, and expressed skepticism about the implementation of agreements struck by the Afghan government.

Highlighting efforts to combat terrorism, Chaudhry cited operations targeting terrorist hideouts in response to attacks on Pakistani soldiers, including recent incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He cited foiled attacks on strategic installations such as the Gwadar Port Authority, attributing their planning and execution to elements operating from Afghanistan.

Chaudhry condemned the involvement of Afghan citizens in terrorist activities in Pakistan and considered it a violation of the Doha Agreement. He reaffirmed the Pakistani military’s commitment to eliminating terrorist networks, including operations against terrorists along the Iranian border.

The ISPR chief reiterated the Pakistan Army’s stand, underlining a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and reaffirming efforts to dismantle terrorist networks both domestically and abroad.