ISLAMABAD: Information minister Attaullah Tarar on Saturday urged the judiciary to deliver swift justice in May 9 rioting cases while presenting “incontrovertible evidence” against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a day after US lawmakers urged President Joe Biden to advocate for the release of the party’s jailed founder, ex-premier Imran Khan.
The violence on May 9, 2023, erupted after Khan’s brief detention on graft charges, with individuals carrying PTI flags vandalizing government buildings and military properties, including setting fire to the official residence of a senior Pakistani general.
PTI has denied any involvement in the violence, maintaining that neither its leaders nor supporters orchestrated the riots, while complaining about a sweeping state crackdown targeted the party.
During a news conference in Lahore, Tarar played videos from May 9, asserting that the footage clearly implicated PTI in the rioting.
“This is incontrovertible evidence,” he said. “Now it is the responsibility of the courts to ensure swift justice.”
The minister asked PTI leaders to publicly apologize over the May 9 events, which he described as part of a larger conspiracy against Pakistan.
His assertion came only a day after more than 40 US lawmakers raised concerns about the former prime minister’s imprisonment, asking President Biden to push for his release.
“A focal point of our concern is the unlawful detention of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, widely perceived to be Pakistan’s most popular political figure,” the letter said, seeking a more active approach from the US embassy in Pakistan, including “advocating for the release of political prisoners, the restoration of human rights, or respect for democratic principles” in the country.
The letter follows a similar note written last month by the over 60 US lawmakers to Biden, asking him to use his administration’s “substantial leverage” with Pakistan to secure Khan’s release.
The former Pakistani prime minister had accused the Americans of hatching a conspiracy against his administration shortly before his ouster from power in a parliamentary no-trust vote in April 2022.
He was viewed to be critical of US policies, though his supporters believe the change of government in Washington could help secure his release from prison after President-elect Donald Trump takes over.
Government seeks swift justice in May 9 rioting cases as US lawmakers urge Imran Khan’s release
https://arab.news/y6wb6
Government seeks swift justice in May 9 rioting cases as US lawmakers urge Imran Khan’s release
- Pakistan’s information minister says there’s ‘incontrovertible evidence’ of PTI’s involvement in May 9 violence
- His assertion comes after 40 US lawmakers raised concern over Khan’s imprisonment in a letter to Biden
Islamabad reviews preparations for 2026 OIC ministerial conference on women
- The conference, held every three to four years, brings together OIC ministers to discuss progress on women’s rights
- Pakistan’s foreign minister directs authorities finalize arrangements, priorities in coordination with OIC Secretariat
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday presided over a meeting to review progress regarding the 9th OIC Ministerial Conference on Women, scheduled to be held in Islamabad in July, the Pakistani foreign ministry said.
The conference, held approximately every three to four years, brings together ministers from OIC member states to review progress on women’s rights, share national policies and adopt new frameworks.
This year’s conference is slated to be held in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on July 12-13, according to a schedule of 2026 meetings shared on the OIC website.
“The meeting evaluated progress and emphasized timely coordination to ensure a successful event,” the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
“FM directed all relevant ministries and stakeholders to finalize logistical arrangements and thematic priorities in close collaboration with the OIC Secretariat.”
Previous ministerial meetings have focused on themes such as women’s economic empowerment, combating gender-based violence, and improving access to education and health care.
The exact agenda for the 2026 meeting has yet to be announced.
The previous OIC ministerial conference on women was held in Cairo in 2021 and focused on women’s empowerment, protection frameworks, and socio-economic participation.
