Pak Army Top Brass Vows Decisive Action Against Any ‘May 9-Like Situation’
Military commanders pledge firm action to protect internal stability as government and PTI hold talks before Sunday’s Islamabad protest.
ISLAMABAD, Oct 2: Pakistan’s military leadership has warned that any attempt to trigger unrest resembling the violence of May 9, 2023, would be met with decisive action, as the country braces for a planned march to Islamabad by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan.
Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir chaired the 277th Corps Commanders’ Conference at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, where senior commanders reviewed the country’s security situation and discussed measures to maintain a high level of preparedness.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the commanders stressed the need to preserve internal stability. The forum resolved that any effort to provoke agitation or create a situation similar to the events of May 9, regardless of the pretext, would be met with decisive force in accordance with the law.
The reference was to the widespread unrest that followed Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023. Supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party staged protests across the country, during which state property and military installations were allegedly attacked.
The commanders also reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defence and discussed targeted action against terrorism originating from Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the military leadership welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye. The commanders said the agreement would further strengthen the countries’ longstanding strategic and collective defence cooperation.
The military statement came as the federal government and PTI representatives held talks on Friday in an effort to ease political tensions before the opposition party’s planned march to Islamabad on Sunday.
PTI spokesperson Zulfiqar Bukhari said the party had placed several demands before the government. These include an immediate meeting between Imran Khan and PTI representatives, as well as arrangements for him to be taken to a hospital for examination by his personal doctors.
The party has also sought the release of Khan’s sisters and other supporters arrested ahead of the proposed demonstration. It has demanded a proper medical examination of Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, and called for their legal cases to be heard without interference.
Authorities have meanwhile intensified security preparations in and around Islamabad. Shipping containers have been positioned on major routes leading towards the capital, while additional police personnel have been mobilised to manage the situation.
The developments come amid heightened political tensions between the government and PTI, with both sides facing pressure to prevent Sunday’s demonstration from turning into a wider law and order challenge.
