May 9: A Dark Day for the Innocent, Not the Political Elite

May 9, 2023, will be remembered for a long time in Pakistan's history as a day of vandalism, chaos, and destruction, resulting in a loss of billion rupees. The events of that day led to a blame game, with the military being accused of orchestrating the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and interfering in national politics and the cipher case.

PTI supporters quickly pointed fingers at the military and paramilitary forces for their involvement in the country's political affairs. They believed the military was trying to undermine their leader and the party's electoral prospects. The events of May 9 were a culmination of a long-standing conflict between the public and the political elite. The vote of no confidence in the National Assembly in April 2022 marked the beginning of a war between the two.

The public was outraged by the alleged horse-trading and sale of votes by lawmakers, with Mohsin Naqvi and Rana Sanaullah accused of playing a leading role in the process. When a large number of PTI members left the party, Naqvi and Sanaullah returned, and the military was forced to intervene to handle the situation. The PTI lost a significant number of its members and candidates, ultimately leading to its defeat in the 2024 general elections.

The military's involvement in the political process has been a contentious issue in Pakistan for decades. The events of May 9 added fuel to the fire, with the public blaming the military for its role in the country's political instability. The judiciary and government played a clever game, keeping the military at the forefront and avoiding direct blame.

The internet suspension by the government during the riots resulted in an additional loss of around 15 billion rupees to the country. The public blames the ongoing government for political engineering in the 2024 general elections and the strong involvement of the 'establishment' in the political process.

The May 9 riots were a dark day in Pakistan's history, resulting in significant financial losses and damage to the country's political stability. The events of that day were a culmination of a long-standing conflict between the public and the political elite, with the military's involvement being a major point of contention. There is no need to commemorate the anniversary of that day; if needed, what about the days of Martial Law and Bhutto's death?