In a heartfelt appeal from her prison cell, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr. Yasmin Rashid has called upon Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa to establish a judicial commission to investigate the cases stemming from the May 9 incidents. Dr. Rashid lamented the prolonged incarceration of her party members, emphasizing the need for swift justice after over a year of waiting.
Dr. Rashid highlighted the plight of female PTI members who have remained imprisoned since the May 9 unrest, expressing concern over what she perceives as political vendetta rather than a pursuit of justice. She questioned the integrity of the legal proceedings, citing instances of bail followed by re-arrests in new cases.
Furthermore, Dr. Rashid raised questions about the conduct of the government, particularly its handling of the cases and the frequent changes in the judiciary overseeing them. She pointed out discrepancies such as the absence of police with case records and the disappearance of prosecutors during crucial moments of the proceedings.
The PTI leader herself has been detained for months in connection to speeches made during the May 9 events, which saw widespread violence and clashes across the nation following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan. The aftermath led to numerous arrests of PTI leaders, workers, and supporters, many of whom remain incarcerated or face repeated arrests in multiple cases.
Presently, PTI Chief Imran Khan and Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi are detained in the cipher case, while other party leaders are held in connection to the May 9 violence. Trials are scattered across various courts nationwide.
The May 9 riots erupted following the arrest of the deposed prime minister in a high-profile settlement case. The protests escalated into violence, with PTI workers and leaders accused of attacking both civil and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The military labeled May 9 as a “Black Day” and opted to try the protesters under the Army Act.
