Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz condemned the violent incidents of May 9, 2023, calling them part of a premeditated conspiracy to destabilize the state.
She claimed that the “mastermind” of the events – referring to PTI founder Imran Khan – eventually confessed to planning and aiding the attacks, adding that his party was more of an “anarchist group” than a political party aimed at harming the state through malicious proposals.
The Chief Minister alleged that Zaman Park served as a training ground for terrorist activities. “There was training to make petrol bombs and attack the state,” she said, pointing out that planning for the May 9, 2023 attacks took place over four months (with a prominent figure feigning an injury) with a cast on his leg. .
Maryam asked what peaceful protests were organized on May 9, when over 200 military installations were attacked, air force planes were set on fire, corps commanders’ houses were burned and martyrs’ monuments were desecrated.
“What a peaceful protest that was, in which over 200 military installations were attacked,” she remarked sarcastically. She claimed that the attacks on martyrs’ memorials and forcing Pakistan to default were part of a conspiracy.
Stressing the need for action, Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “It is a requirement of national interest to act in the presence of proof and evidence.” She linked the events to a larger conspiracy aimed at undermining Pakistan and alienating friendly countries, including China.
“It is the same conspiratorial group that planned to alienate friendly countries from Pakistan,” she further alleged, adding that the foreign leadership was ugly while baseless allegations were leveled against CPEC and China.
The CM recalled past incidents of riots and attacks attributed to the same group, such as the 2014 attacks on Parliament, PTV and Prime Minister’s House. It cited incidents of violence against the police and disruption caused by sit-ins, including the prevention of the visit of the Chinese president to Pakistan.
