The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) have criticized former Prime Minister Imran Khan following his alleged confession to organizing a protest outside the army’s headquarters.
This reaction came after Imran Khan, during a court hearing in Adiala jail, acknowledged that he had called for a peaceful protest outside the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. This call was in response to law enforcement’s “attack” on his Zaman Park residence prior to his arrest.
PML-N leader and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz commented that Khan, whom she labeled as the “mastermind” behind the May 9 incidents, had finally admitted to orchestrating and facilitating the unrest. She described the PTI as an anarchist group intent on causing state harm and claimed that Khan’s Zaman Park residence was a training hub for terrorists. Maryam alleged that this site was used to train individuals to make petrol bombs and attack state institutions.
Maryam also criticized the PTI’s claim of a peaceful protest, questioning how over 200 military installations could be vandalized in a peaceful manner. She cited incidents of Pakistan Air Force planes being set on fire, a corps commander’s house being burned, and martyrs’ memorials being desecrated. She accused the PTI of conspiring against the state, including writing to the IMF to push Pakistan towards default and engaging in activities to alienate friendly countries.
Maryam called for strict action against the PTI, claiming it was essential for national security and interests. She also reminded that the same party had previously attacked the parliament, PTV, and Prime Minister House in 2014, which resulted in the Chinese president postponing his visit.
PPP leader Senator Sherry Rehman also condemned Khan, referring to his admission as a confession. She demanded that Khan apologize to the nation for his actions, asserting that his acknowledgment of calling for a protest outside the GHQ was not sufficient. Rehman criticized Khan for blaming the government and state institutions for the violent protests and for allegedly targeting sensitive institutions to avoid arrest.
Rehman also highlighted Khan’s preferential treatment in jail compared to the facilities denied to others during his tenure. She pointed out that Khan enjoyed various privileges, including giving interviews from jail, which had not been afforded to other leaders in the past.
Imran Khan faces numerous legal challenges, including 12 cases related to the May 9 riots, which are being heard by an Anti-Terrorism Court. These incidents, triggered by his arrest in a graft case, involved the vandalization of military and state installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s residence. The current and previous governments have accused Khan and PTI’s senior leadership of orchestrating these attacks.
