Amid the economic crisis, the ruling coalition government is running a pro-army campaign on TV channels and social media platforms, condemning the attacks by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters on military installations following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan on May 9.
On May 9, former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested from within the premises of Islamabad High Court (IHC) by rangers over corruption charges. The arrest sparked nationwide protests by PTI supporters, who attacked military and civil properties. The Corps Commander Lahore residence and Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi were attacked by the protesters.
The government is running a media campaign expressing solidarity with the armed forces, and condemning the attacks on military and civil properties by the PTI supporters.
Leaders from ruling coalition parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have shared a number of videos with the caption “Say No To 9th May”.
The campaign “Say No To 9th May” is also being run on state tv PTV.
#SayNoTo9May pic.twitter.com/3pbYGL7Ww5
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) May 20, 2023
Following the protests, the government and top military brass vowed strict action against those involved in attacking military installations. The army has also decided to hold trials of the PTI supporters involved in the attacks under the Army Act, drawing severe condemnation from the human rights quarters.
