May 9 violent incidents damage of over Rs2.5bn: AGP

Islamabad: Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan on Wednesday revealed at the Supreme Court that violent events on May 9 resulted in losses of Rs2.5 billion, including Rs1.9 billion to the nation's military installations.

The discovery was made in the supreme court while a group of arguments opposing the military trials of civilians were being heard. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Atta Bandial preside over the six-member larger bench, which also includes Justices Ijazul Ahsan, Munib Akhtar, Yahya Afridi, Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi, and Ayesha A. Malik.

The Attorney General provided the court a briefing on the federal government's position regarding the prosecution of civilians in military courts. According to the Attorney General's claims, the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House happened around 5:40 pm.

He continued by saying that on May 9, between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., strikes were launched nationwide against military installations.

AGP informed the court that fuel for the aircrafts was also present at the Mianwali PAF airbase, where a protective wall had been destroyed and the planes were parked.

According to the Attorney General, Lahore's Corps Commander House suffered significant damage. A total of 62 distinct locations in Punjab were attacked, resulting in up to 52 injuries.

He said that the May 9 violent incidents had cost Rs2.5 billion in losses.

He also displayed images of the attacks on military bases on May 9 and 10. By breaking the GHQ's Gate No. 1, he demonstrated to the court how people entered the building.

He claimed that the disruptive mob also attacked the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology and the Rawalpindi office of Inter-Services Intelligence's (ISI) Hamza Camp. He stated that "violent incidents also took place in Rawalpindi's Chaklala," adding that "petrol bombs were also used on May 9."

The AGP claimed that the criminals also vandalized the Army History Museum and smashed the military statue within General Headquarters.

The Corps Commander House mosque in Lahore was also attacked, the Attorney General also told the court.

He added that the army officials are not trained to deal with the protesters the way police have the required training.

“Are you saying that army officers only trained to shoot?” CJP Bandial asked. At this, AGP Awan said that army officers are fully trained in using the weapons but army showed restraint on May 9.

The Lahore Corps Commander House, GHQ and airbases, among other vital military installations, were systematically attacked, the Attorney General continued.

Lahore and Peshawar were entirely destroyed that day, according to the Attorney General. He stated, Motorway Tall Plaza was also set ablaze in Swat.

Further he mentioned that Punjab Regiment Mardan Center and Balochistan Regiment Abbottabad were attacked.

He added that the violence on May 9 and 10 injured more than 200 individuals, including 184 law enforcement officers, and caused losses to military installations of Rs1.9 billion.

CJP Bandial continued by saying that the events of May 9 have a serious undertone. There has never been an occasion where institutions were assaulted in this manner across the nation, he noted.

The hearing was later adjourned for 9:30am on Friday.

The petitions were filed by former CJP Jawwad S. Khawaja, Aitzaz Ahsan, Latif Khosa and Karamat Ali.