PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal has blamed PTI chief Imran Khan for May 9 riots, saying that the former prime minister was frequently making attempts to malign the establishment for “again bringing him to power”.

“There is a method in every madness,” he said at a press conference Narowal which was focused on May 9 violence. “This was not a reaction but a planning.”

The planning minister was speaking about the attack on state buildings in the wake of Khan’s arrest on May 9. “Those who were doing this were not unidentified but identified because they were office bearers of PTI,” Iqbal said and added that the PTI chief’s accusations against the agency would not absolve him from the violent protests.

“All these [attacks] were pre-planned and these sites were chosen which were linked to Pakistan’s security and development,” Iqbal said.

In reaction to West concerns over Pakistan’s situation, the PML-N leader wondered whether the US would pardon the rioters of Capitol Hill or the United Kingdom government release rioters who disturbed law and order when David Cameron was the PM.