PTI must face May 9 consequences, Atta Tarar tells NA

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Monday, asserted that leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) must face the legal consequences of the May-9 violence, stressing that court verdicts against them were handed down in accordance with the law.

Responding to remarks by PTI MNA Ali Muhammad Khan, Tarar rejected allegations that the justice system was being subverted against PTI leaders. “Who carried out the May-9 attacks?” he questioned. “You attacked military installations, disrespected the memorials of martyrs, and even kicked the statue of Captain Karnal Sher Khan Shaheed.”

He stated that the incidents of May 9 were not spontaneous but part of a “pre-planned conspiracy”. Tarar said the PTI leadership has been convicted by competent courts and has every right to challenge those convictions through legal channels, but should refrain from making baseless accusations on the assembly floor.

“You cannot cry foul in the House while ignoring the judicial process,” he added, reiterating that accountability for the violence was unavoidable. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches in the National Assembly paid rich tribute to the late MNA and former Punjab governor, Mian Muhammad Azhar, who passed away last week. The House also offered Fateha for the departed soul and adjourned proceedings without conducting any formal business in his honour.

Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said Mian Azhar’s death had created a void in the country’s political and democratic landscape that would be hard to fill. Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed personal grief, noting a close bond with the deceased over the past 16 months.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif praised Mian Azhar’s commitment to dignified politics, highlighting his cordiality despite political affiliations. “Unlike many others, he would always greet and embrace me, even as a PTI member,” he recalled.

PTI chief whip Malik Aamir Dogar lauded Azhar’s lifelong democratic struggle, recalling his reluctance to attend an assembly he considered to have a “fake mandate”. He also lamented that the elderly leader was baton-charged outside Adiala Jail while attempting to meet PTI’s founding chairman.

PPP’s Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said the country needs more politicians like Mian Azhar who lead by example. PTI’s Ali Muhammad Khan emotionally noted that Mian Azhar endured pain in his final days, having been unable to meet his son, Hammad Azhar, for over a year.

Lawmakers including Shaharyar Afridi, Rana Tanveer Hussain, Dr Farooq Sattar, Hameed Hussain, and others also expressed sorrow over the veteran leader’s passing. Separately, the Business Advisory Committee met under Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah and decided to continue the ongoing NA session till August 13. Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Khalid Magsi, Naveed Qamar, Shazia Marri, Ejazul Haq, and Shaikh Aftab were among those in attendance.