Shahid Khattak calls for judicial commission on May 9 incident

ISLAMABAD (ABN News) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shahid Khattak has called for the establishment of a transparent and impartial judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9, emphasizing that if any wrongdoing by PTI or Imran Khan is proven through proper judicial inquiry, there would be no hesitation in offering an apology.

Speaking on ABN News program Tajziyah, Khattak said, “There is no shame in admitting a mistake, but May 9 was a serious incident that demands an unbiased judicial investigation.”

Khattak defended Imran Khan, stating that the PTI chairman has always advocated for peaceful political struggle and never incited violence or vandalism. “We held a 126-day sit-in in the past without breaking a single pot. Our rallies and protests have always been peaceful,” he said.

He added that whenever any mess or damage occurred during PTI events, the party took responsibility and ensured cleanup on its own.

Khattak emphasized that dialogue should never be ruled out and reiterated PTI’s commitment to democratic processes. “Before his arrest, Imran Khan repeatedly called for political dialogue to ensure stability in the country,” he said, adding that talks can only be productive when both sides engage seriously.

Highlighting the hardships faced by the party, Khattak said that over the past three years, PTI has endured immense pressure, including arrests, violence against workers, and financial losses. “Despite these challenges, the people still stand with Imran Khan and PTI,” he stated.

He claimed that following the May 9 events, PTI workers were deprived of their right to protest, but the party has since reorganized and resumed its political activities. “On August 5, the nation took to the streets in a powerful show of support, even though carrying the party flag was banned,” he noted.

Khattak also spoke about the recent natural disasters in Buner and Swat, where landslides and torrential rains caused significant damage. He praised the efforts of police and rescue workers but pointed out that lack of resources and a weak system hampered relief efforts.

Criticizing the federal government, Khattak alleged that no funds have yet been allocated to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, despite the role of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in serving the entire country.

He warned against politicizing natural disasters, saying, “This is about human lives, not political point-scoring. No party, including PML-N, should use disaster relief as a political tool.”

Shahid Khattak concluded by highlighting Imran Khan’s environmental initiatives, stating that he is the only Pakistani leader to have taken meaningful steps for environmental protection. “The Billion Tree Tsunami project was mocked locally but has been recognized by international organizations as one of the world’s best environmental initiatives,” he said.