The National Assembly speaker, Raja Pervez Ashraf, has said that letting the May 9 perpetrators go would be enmity with Pakistan, as he expressed hope for the outcome of an appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision to stop military from trying suspects.

“I think if they are spared then it will be akin to enmity with Pakistan,” he said in an interview with Shaukat Piracha on his show Rubaroo which was aired on Aaj News on Friday.

“I want to tell you clearly. It’s not just the character. What our enemy will want? He would want to weaken our enemy, make it controversial, and raise a wall of hatred between the Pakistani people and the army. This is called a hybrid war.”

Violent protests broke out on May 9 when PTI Chairman Imran Khan was first arrested in a graft case. Protesters had attacked state buildings and vandalised military installations. When the dust settled, the government launched a crackdown against the protesters and arrested suspects after identifying them in video footage and pictures.

Several PTI workers, including women, are still behind bars. Many PTI leaders have quit politics or parted ways with the Imran Khan-led party after being released from jail. Many experts had criticised the trial of suspects in the military courts, saying that civilian courts were still functioning.

On October 23, a five-member SC bench declared Section 2(1)(d) of the Army Act, which elaborates on persons subject to the Act, to be in violation of the Constitution and “of no legal effect”. The court also declared Section 59(4) (civil offences) of the Act to be unconstitutional. Justice Afridi disagreed with striking down the sections.

The order said the trials of 102 civilians and accused persons, identified by the government in a list provided to the SC, and all other persons who may be placed under trial in connection with the events of May 9 should be held in criminal courts.

“It is further declared that any action or proceedings under the Army Act in respect of the aforesaid persons or any other persons so similarly placed (including but not limited to trial by court martial) are and would be of no legal effect,” the court had added.

“I think the government has filed an appeal. I hope,” he said when asked about the apex court’s orders.

Ashraf clarified that it was not about the trial of a civilian, however, of those vandalised Pakistan’s assets, military installations, air force planes, GHQ, and Corps Commanders House. He added that it was such a big crime that the suspects attacked the country’s integrity.

They tried to give a message that was inappropriate and against Pakistan’s assets, he said and added: “If you call them civilian then tell me if such a civilian can attack the army then why not army can try them? It is in the Army Act.

In the interview, he claimed that the turncoats would not get any votes and they would not be able to deliver.

He supported his argument by saying that voters were more aware now as compared to the past.

“I am an optimist. May be it is my desperation. I want an election where loser and winner accept the result.”