Rana Sanaullah, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, expressed concerns on Thursday about the delays in punishing those responsible for the May 9 riots, blaming issues with the judicial system and legal gaps for the slow progress, even after a year.
The riots erupted across various parts of Pakistan, especially in Rawalpindi, following the arrest of Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), on the same day last year. Angry mobs vandalized both private and public properties, including military installations.
Reflecting on the anniversary of these violent protests, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Sanaullah, criticized the slow pace of trials for those involved. He highlighted that the authority of higher courts, particularly taking suo motu notices, has complicated matters in the country’s legal system.
Sanaullah emphasized the need for a more streamlined process, suggesting that individuals linked to the May 9 protests should have faced swift trials and convictions within 30-90 days. He also referenced previous attempts to try the accused in military courts, which faced delays due to legal challenges and petitions.