A year after the incidents of May 9, 2023, the Pakistani nation came out in favor of its valiant security forces, holding rallies across the country to send a clear and strong message to all the centrifugal forces who, under the cloak of politics, want to destabilize Pakistan. Through these rallies, the Pakistani people announced that they trust the Pakistan military not only as an institution but also as a binding force that keeps the state together against all internal and external threats.
Massive rallies were held in almost all major cities, with people from all walks of life participating to express their support and trust in the Pakistan Army and other security forces. May 9, 2023, will remain a Black Day in Pakistan’s history. On this dark day, politically motivated and brainwashed miscreants, in an act of political upheaval, purposely resorted to violence against state institutions, destroying sacred symbols of the state and sites belonging to national heritage. This is certainly not how political parties should behave, and in Pakistan, such an event was previously unthinkable, where mindless and senseless mobs vandalized historic military landmarks across the country.
The federal government commemorated the day to express solidarity with martyrs and their families. In KP, rallies and processions were held across the province, mainly in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, DI Khan, Lakki Marwat, Tank, and Charsadda, where people expressed solidarity with Pakistan Army. During their speeches and slogans, they stated that they would not tolerate the desecration of martyrs and that the perpetrators must be punished for such wrongdoings. Sentiments like these were more visible in Swabi, the hometown of Kargil war hero Captain Karnal Sher Khan, whose monument was also vandalized by the rioters on May 9, 2023.
Similarly, in Sindh, rallies were organized by the public in general in Sajawal, Thatta, Badin, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Tando Muhammad Khan, and Kashmore, among other places. In Larkana, Jacobabad, and other cities, people raised slogans in favor of the Pakistan Army. The participants were carrying various placards filled with slogans of love and solidarity with the Pakistan Army. They expressed their emotions and love, stating that the love for the army cannot be erased from the hearts of the people.
Despite the fact that the political party involved in the May 9 mayhem is shamelessly accusing the Pakistan Army and intelligence services of orchestrating this unfortunate incident, Pakistan Army, through a press conference by the DG ISPR, announced they would move on if those involved in this crime seek pardon from the nation and vow not to repeat it in the future. Unfortunately, this was taken as a sign of weakness yet again, and more accusations were raised without an iota of proof. This raises a big question mark over Pakistan’s judicial system and its ability to lawfully deal with such anti-state elements in national politics. The Pakistani nation also seeks justice for its heroes who made the ultimate sacrifices for the safety and security of the motherland.
Questions over the judiciary’s inability to punish the perpetrators of May 9 were also raised during the rallies held across the country. The participants expressed their dissatisfaction and questioned why these evil elements continue to escape punishment under the law of the land. These same sentiments also exist in the rank and file of the Pakistan Army and sister forces regarding these miscreants. Pakistan’s judiciary and government must overcome all the legal loopholes in the legal framework to ensure that not a single person involved in this carnage goes unpunished. Additionally, those tried in military courts must also be put on speedy trials in anti-terrorism courts in light of the evidence gathered by security forces and intelligence agencies. This is critical because no one in the world will respect Pakistan as a sovereign state if the sanctity of its armed forces is compromised, as they are the guardians of the homeland. May 9 was not a protest; it was a mutiny against the state, and mutinies are dealt with an iron fist all over the world.
The government has vowed to bring these people to justice as per the nation’s demand, while the Pakistani masses are looking to the judiciary to swiftly provide justice to the martyrs, veterans, and heroes of the nation. Pakistan has spoken in solidarity with its armed forces, and this trust and bond with the nation is the biggest strength of the Pakistan armed forces, as has been expressed many times by COAS Gen Asim Munir in recent months. InshaAllah, with this trust, Pakistan will continue to move forward, defeating the nefarious designs of evil within and without.
Pakistan Zindabad!
Rallies on 9th May: A Gesture of Solidarity with Pakistan Armed Forces
