ISLAMABAD: In a fiery address, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub rebuffed once more allegations implicating his party in the May 9 riots, asserting that the incidents were orchestrated to target PTI founder Imran Khan. Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly, Ayub, who also serves as PTI’s Secretary General, reiterated the party’s call for the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 events, which saw military installations coming under attack following the arrest of deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan. He highlighted the significant damages inflicted on the country following the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007, estimating losses amounting to $2 billion.

Ayub further noted the extensive damage inflicted on trains, locomotives, and railway stations during the violent protests, with Karachi alone suffering losses estimated at Rs80 to Rs90 billion over a span of three to four days.

He questioned the lack of arrests, inquiries, and punitive measures against those involved in the violence in 2007, maintaining that May 9 was merely a pretext and Imran Khan was the real target.

He criticized the government’s stance on May 9 as “victim-blaming” and accused them of deliberately erasing evidence, including CCTV footage, to obstruct justice. Ayub also cited Article 19, pertaining to freedom of speech, and condemned censorship by the government, expressing concerns that his speech might not be broadcast.

However, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq assured the opposition leader that it would be aired.

Earlier, PTI reversed its stance on engaging in dialogue with the establishment following a press conference by Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), where the party was asked to apologize for the May 9 events.