May 9 suspects should have been penalized long time ago, says minister

Commenting on the prison terms handed to PTI leaders and workers in the cases of May 9 violence, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that those involved in these incidents should have been penalized a long time ago, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Addressing a press conference, he said that the court gave its verdict in the May 9 cases on the basis of evidence.  

He further said that on May 9, PTI leaders and workers assembled at four places in Lahore and injured 82 policemen besides damaging and setting fire to several government and military installations.

He accused the PTI workers of making videos of the incidents of violence and later uploading them on social media.

The minister demanded that the courts decide other cases involving the PTI leaders at the earliest.    

Talal said that sentences in May 9 cases were handed down based on evidence and facts. He strongly rejected that the verdicts were politically motivated.

Expressing deep regret over the events of May 9, he recalled that a political party incited unprecedented chaos in Pakistan's history on that day.

He mentioned that police stations, Jinnah House and numerous public and private properties were set on fire in Lahore.

He said there is substantial evidence including video footage and statements of PTI leaders linking them to the incidents. He said the planning of the May 9 events took place at the homes of PTI leaders.