On May 7, 2024, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan held a press conference to reiterate the party’s demand to constitute a judicial commission to investigate the events of May 9. He made these remarks after a meeting with the former Prime Minister and PTI founder Imran Khan at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Barrister Gohar disclosed that Imran Khan was content with the Supreme Court’s order on reserved seats, stating that justice would prevail.
During the press conference, Barrister Gohar discussed the statement made by the former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar regarding the Form 47 issue. He urged the judiciary to hear the Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP) petitions and constitute benches to resolve the matter. He also informed Imran Khan about the PTI leadership’s meeting with the United States Ambassador Donald Blome and expressed satisfaction over the development. The PTI chairman raised concerns about the whereabouts of the CCTV footage from the May 9 event and emphasized that Imran Khan had no intention of damaging relations with the United States.
In a display of respect for the military and its leadership, Barrister Gohar responded to a query about the comments made by DG ISPR during his press briefing. He assured that he would address these comments after careful consideration. Earlier in the day, Maj-Gen Ahmed Sharif, the Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), had stated that ‘nothing was hidden about May 9’ and dismissed the narrative that the events were orchestrated and a false flag operation.
Maj-Gen Sharif held a press conference on May 7, 2024, to emphasize the transparency of the events that occurred on May 9. He stated that “nothing was hidden about May 9” and asserted that those responsible for the events, including both perpetrators and orchestrators, must face legal consequences in accordance with the Constitution and the law. Maj-Gen Sharif debunked the false narrative that the events of May 9 were a ‘false flag operation’ and highlighted how falsehoods and propaganda had turned public sentiment against the army, its leadership, and various institutions.
During his media interaction, the PTI chairman, in a clear and unequivocal manner, addressed a query regarding the alleged interference of the United States. He firmly stated that such discussions should not be misconstrued as advocating for the severance of ties with a nation as significant as the United States. He further clarified that the meeting with Blome, which he, along with Omar Ayub and Asad Qaiser, attended, was unrelated to the cypher issue. Salman Akram Raja, counsel for PTI, underscored that the US envoy had initially engaged with the foreign ministry before the meeting with PTI leadership.
