Interim govt’s reluctance to talk about its May 9 probe

ISLAMABAD: For unexplained reasons and following PTI’s large mandate in the Feb 8 elections, the caretaker government has become shy of sharing anything about its high-level committee that was constituted to probe different aspects of the May 9 attacks.

A sub-committee of the cabinet was formed on Jan 6 to determine the masterminds, orchestrators, facilitators and those who carried out those plans of violence, including attacks on military installations on May 9.

The committee, which was also assigned to review the immediate and long-lasting impacts of the May 9 incidents, was asked to submit its report within 14 days.

A few days before the Feb 8 elections, a member of the sub-committee, on condition of not being named, had told The News that the committee had completed its deliberations and had found May 9 a planned conspiracy hatched to cause a rift within the institution of the Pakistan Army.

It was said that the masterminds, conspirators and planners of the May 9 attacks included both local and foreign elements. The News was told at that time that the committee was finalising its report that would be presented before the cabinet for approval and necessary action.

After the elections, all concerned became shy to discuss any update. Senior authorities in the caretaker government were approached and the most concerned people were contacted but no information was shared. Even the Prime Minister’s Office was approached but no information was shared, including whether the sub-committee has submitted its report or not.

The caretaker law minister, who was the head of the sub-committee, was also contacted but there has been no response even from his side.

A few days before the Feb 8 elections, it was claimed by a member of the committee on condition of not being named that the probe by the cabinet committee had shown that the May 9 attacks were not spontaneous but part of proper planning. The purpose of the attack was to create a rift within the army. The attacks on military buildings, installations, and symbols were also part of the conspiracy.

It was also said that how the PTI would react to the arrest of PTI founder chairman Imran Khan was all planned. The dissemination of misinformation, false propaganda, and fake news were also said to be a part of the plan.