Former Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed willingness to apologise for the May 9 riots if it is proven that PTI supporters participated in the violence. His remarks came during a media talk at Adiala Jail amid proceedings of the £190 million corruption case involving him and his wife, Bushra Bibi.
Khan stated that if CCTV footage confirmed PTI workers trespassed and attacked government installations, he would not only issue an apology but also expel those individuals from the party and ensure their prosecution in court. However, he highlighted that he too was mistreated on May 9, as Rangers forcibly removed him from the Islamabad High Court despite his status as “the most popular leader in Pakistan” with a good international reputation.
Khan reiterated his belief that those responsible for his arrest owed him an apology. Referring to a recent statement by the ISPR chief that the military’s stance on the May 9 incident remained unchanged, Khan asserted that the PTI would also remember that day. He described the PTI as a victim of the May 9 chaos, with its members being tortured and barred from election participation.
Khan recalled his demand for a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 violence, asserting there was no evidence linking the PTI to the unrest. Addressing questions about the use of petrol bombs, he emphasised that these were used outside Zaman Park and that any perpetrators identified should face justice.
Commenting on the DG ISPR’s claim of a mafia running a paid campaign against Pakistan, Khan criticised the establishment for previously narrating corruption stories about Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, only to impose them on the country through rigged elections. He stressed the importance of defending the army as a national institution.
Khan compared Pakistan’s situation unfavourably to Bangladesh, noting higher unemployment and inflation. He clarified that he did not idealise Bangladesh’s founder Sheikh Mujeebur Rehman but merely cited quotes from the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report regarding the fall of Dhaka.
Emphasising PTI’s commitment to peace, Khan stated his readiness to engage in dialogue with the establishment for the people’s welfare but would not insist if the other side was uninterested. He expressed concerns that current leaders of ruling parties might flee the country, calling for their names, and potentially his own, to be placed on the exit control list.
Witnesses withdrawn in corruption case
In the ongoing £190 million corruption trial, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) withdrew 14 witnesses on Wednesday, likely hastening the trial’s conclusion to next week. Initially, there were 59 prosecution witnesses, with 10 already given up by the anti-graft watchdog. The defense counsel cross-examined 35 witnesses.
NAB informed the accountability judge, Nasir Javed Rana, of their decision not to produce the remaining 14 witnesses after the defense filed an application for their summoning. This unexpected withdrawal suggests the trial could end sooner than expected.
Meanwhile, PTI’s legal team has sought the acquittal of Bushra Bibi. The case centres on allegations that Khan’s cabinet approved a confidential deed in 2019 to return £190 million, seized by the UK’s National Crime Agency and returned to Pakistan, to property tycoon Malik Riaz. The NAB claims Khan and his wife received billions of rupees and extensive land from Bahria Town in exchange for legalising the money.
