LONDON: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan of seeking a return to power with US backing, labeling him a “product of the establishment.”
Judiciary Blamed for Delay in May 9 Case
Speaking from London on Sunday, Asif criticized the judiciary for delaying the process of bringing those responsible for the May 9, 2023, riots to justice.
“The judiciary delayed the matter of May 9, which required urgent decisions,” he said.
This came a day after military courts handed 25 individuals involved in the attacks on state installations two to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in the first phase of convictions.
Accusations Against Imran Khan
Calling Khan the “mastermind” behind the riots, Asif claimed the attacks were planned and executed by trained individuals.
“May 9 was orchestrated by someone who was himself a product of the establishment,” Asif alleged.
He further blamed the PTI’s rise to power in 2018 on alleged rigging through the Results Transmission System (RTS).
“PTI was brought to power via RTS in 2018,” he said, reiterating the PML-N’s stance that it lost the elections due to manipulation.
Military Courts and Convictions
Defending the military courts’ sentencing of the accused, Asif said the decisions were based on strong evidence, including video footage of attacks on military installations.
US Support and “Absolutely Not” Stance
The defence minister accused Imran Khan of contradicting his anti-US rhetoric by seeking Washington’s support for his political comeback.
“Washington became ‘absolutely not’ when he was ousted from power,” Asif remarked, referring to Khan’s earlier claims of opposing US influence in Pakistan.
Nawaz Sharif and Judiciary Criticism
Asif praised Nawaz Sharif for making Pakistan a nuclear state despite global pressure and criticized the judiciary’s verdict in the Panama Papers case.
“The Panama case verdict is a stain on the judiciary,” he said, accusing former army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa of working on a “minus Nawaz Sharif project” during that time.
Justice for May 9 Riots
Asif vowed that the mastermind of the May 9 violence would also face justice, adding that such an incident would not occur again even if the PTI founder was sentenced.
The defence minister’s remarks have added fuel to ongoing political tensions as Pakistan navigates its complex political and judicial challenges.
