The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is resolute in its pursuit of an inquiry into the May 9 riots, deciding to bring the matter back to the provincial cabinet after the Peshawar High Court (PHC) turned down Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s request for an investigation.
KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel, speaking to Geo News on Saturday, confirmed that consultations with CM Gandapur led to the decision to revisit the issue within the provincial cabinet. This follows the PHC’s rejection of the government’s request to form a judicial commission to investigate the incidents of May 9.
The PHC’s registrar, responding to the provincial government’s appeal, indicated that the request could not be entertained as it violated the Rules of Business of 1985. The registrar also noted that the forum that issued the letter lacked the proper authority.
The controversial letter, confirmed last month by KP Law Minister Aftab Alam Afridi, requested the PHC Chief Justice to appoint a judge or judges for the judicial commission, as per a decision made by the KP cabinet on June 27, according to The News.
The former ruling party has faced intense scrutiny over its alleged role in the May 9 riots, which included attacks on military installations such as Rawalpindi’s General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Lahore Corps Commander’s House.
Both the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, led by former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the current administration, have repeatedly accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of orchestrating the riots. PTI founder Imran Khan has firmly denied these allegations, asserting that any party members found involved would be held accountable.
The military has also called for strict action against those responsible for the violence to maintain the integrity of the country’s justice system.
“The army’s position on May 9 remains unchanged, as was communicated in the May 7, 2024, press conference,” Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), reiterated in a press conference last month.
AG Uthmankhel emphasized that the provincial government is committed to the inquiry. “The chief minister has made it clear that the investigation will proceed, regardless of the obstacles,” he stated.
Regarding the PHC’s response, Uthmankhel pointed out that the court did not specify the exact violation or the provision of the Rules of Business of 1985 that was breached. He maintained that the procedure followed by the provincial government was appropriate and did not contravene any existing legislation.
“If the high court does not wish to conduct the inquiry, it should simply decline,” he remarked. Uthmankhel added that the KP government plans to write another letter to the high court, asserting that the responsibility to engage with the court on this matter was entrusted to him.
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