Today marks the first anniversary of the tragic May 9th incident. In light of potential political rallies, Islamabad’s Red Zone has sealed off as a security measure. No unauthorized individuals permitted to enter the Red Zone.
In Rawalpindi, Islamabad’s twin city, security measures have also heightened in relation to the May 9th anniversary. The CPO Rawalpindi has announced that Section 144 is in effect across Punjab, prohibiting any illegal assemblies. Senior officers will personally oversee security in the field.
Authorities warned that any disruptions to peace and tranquility will dealt with sternly. Legal action will taken against those who organize or incite illegal gatherings or rallies.
A year on from the heartbreaking May 9th incident, the families of the martyrs continue to grieve. They recall the desecration of the martyrs’ memorials and the attacks on military buildings. They demand severe punishment for those involved in the destruction on May 9th.
President Asif Ali Zardari has stated that May 9th will remembered as a black day in Pakistan’s history, a day when a politically charged crowd caused havoc across the country. He emphasized that those responsible for the violence on May 9th should held accountable according to the law.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in a message regarding May 9th, described it as not just the darkest day in history, but a day that separates two ideologies: sacrificing the state for politics and attacking the state for politics. He contrasted the great sons of the nation who sacrificed their blood for the homeland with those burning in the fire of hatred, who have no respect for national monuments, state institutions, or the law.
Prime Minister Sharif stated that a year has passed, but the nation and Pakistan will neither forget nor forgive the criminals. He promised that May 9th will never happen again and that we must move forward and achieve progress, giving a bright future to our coming generations.
Scholars and minority communities have visited Jinnah House to condemn the May 9th incident and demand severe punishment for those responsible. The people say that the wounds of May 9th are still fresh, and seeing Jinnah House brings tears to their eyes.
The people demand that the morale of the anti-army elements campaigning against Pakistan’s armed forces should broken. They insist that those responsible for the May 9th incident should brought to justice immediately.
Civil society has declared May 9th as the worst day in Pakistan’s history, when the memorials of the martyrs burnt. They demand that those who attack the country’s institutions in the guise of political struggle should not pardoned and should be brought to justice.
