Labels May 9 as ‘black day’ in Pakistan’s political history, demands immediate release of May 9 CCTV footage
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday reiterated its demand for the formation of an immediate judicial commission comprising senior judges of the Supreme Court to conduct a “transparent, impartial and credible” inquiry into the events of May 9, 2023, riots, while calling for the release of party founder Imran Bi Khanbi and his wife.
Riots broke out across the country following Imran’s arrest, after which PTI leaders and workers staged protests targeting both civilian and military installations, including Jinnah House and the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The military condemned the events as a “black day” and decided to try the protesters under the Army Act.
Read: ATC sentences 47 PTI leaders to 10 years in May 9 GHQ attack case
In a post on X, PTI’s information secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram described May 9 as “a black day in Pakistan’s political history”, saying the arrest of Imran from the Islamabad High Court premises violated the “sanctity of the judiciary” and set “a dangerous precedent for state repression and fascism”.
“This act was a blatant violation of the constitution, the law and fundamental human rights,” he said.
The PTI spokesperson said the party had demanded “transparent, impartial and independent investigations” into the May 9 events from the beginning and continued to stand by that demand.
9 May is a dark day in Pakistan’s political history, when the people’s favorite Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court and not only brought to court, but also set a dangerous example of state repression and tyranny. This move is open to the law, law and basic human rights…
— Sheikh Waqqas Akram (@SheikhWaqqas) 9 May 2026
“We have repeatedly made it clear that a judicial commission comprising serving senior judges of the Supreme Court should be set up to bring all the facts before the nation,” he said.
He raised questions about the alleged disappearance of CCTV footage related to the incidents, saying its absence had raised concerns about the credibility of the investigative process.
“Where is the footage that could have established truth from falsehood?” he asked, adding that its inaccessibility reinforced the impression that facts were being deliberately concealed.
Referring to repeated demands by the PTI founder, he said the former prime minister had consistently called for an independent judicial commission to identify those responsible for the events.
“But unfortunately to this day neither a judicial commission has been set up nor the truth has been told to the nation. This behavior is contrary to the demands of justice,” he added.
Akram claimed that after May 9, thousands of PTI workers, including women, were arrested and detained for months, while several people were convicted “without concrete evidence”.
“These actions are not only violations of human rights, but also reflect the illegitimate use of state power,” he said.
Also read: the May 9 saga
The PTI leader maintained that the party respected defense institutions and believed that institutional strength could be ensured only through “fairness, transparency and the rule of law”.
“We once again demand that an immediate judicial commission comprising senior judges of the Supreme Court be set up. All CCTV footage from May 9 be released to the public,” he said.
He also demanded the immediate release of Imran, Bushra Bibi and “innocent arrested persons, especially women”.
“The real culprits must be brought to justice according to the law,” he added.
“The nation is waiting for the truth. No matter how much facts are suppressed, they will surely come to light one day or the other,” he said, adding that the PTI would continue its fight for the “supremacy of the Constitution” and restoration of public trust.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also demanded the immediate release of footage related to the May 9 incidents, describing the day as “a black day in the history of Pakistan”.
“After May 9, false rulers were imposed on the country who spared no effort in the destruction of Pakistan and the Pakistani people,” he said.
9 May Pakistan’s history is a dark day that history will always remember. After the 9th of May, fake rulers were imposed on the country, who left no stone unturned in the destruction of the public. Not only did the rulers damage the country’s economy, but the state institutions did and…
— Sohail Afridi (@SohailAfridiISF) 9 May 2026
He alleged that those in power had weakened state institutions, harmed the economy and widened the gap between people and institutions.
Referring to the CCTV footage controversy, the Chief Minister said serious questions remained unanswered regarding the events.
“To this day the CCTV footage of the incident has not been shown. That is why my leader Imran Khan Sahib had said, ‘Whoever stole the CCTV footage orchestrated May 9.’
