The person responsible for the May 9 riots “is a product” of establishment, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on Sunday, a day after the military’s media wing announced that at least 25 suspects have been sentenced to jail terms.

“The angry mob had received specific instructions during the incident,” he said at a press conference in London on Sunday. It was broadcast on the state-run news channel.

On Saturday, the Inter-Services Public Relations said that the military courts have handed down sentences to at least 25 people who were involved in the events of May 9, 2023.

Many accused were under trial in various anti-terrorism courts and their cases were being pursued as per the law, however, “justice would truly be fully served once the mastermind and planners of 9th May Tragedy are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land.”

The defence minister reiterated this claims that the-then army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was working on a plan to remove PML-N President Nawaz Sharif from the political landscape, which he described as an “old scheme”. The plan aimed to implement actions that would bring the PTI founder into the spotlight, he alleged.

Asif criticised jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, stating that corruption reached “unprecedented levels” during his tenure and that the PTI founder and his family were allegedly involved in corrupt activities.

The defence minister also took a dig at the PTI founder over forming a negotiation committee, saying that in the past the former ruling party changed its position of only talking to the establishment.

“There is such impatience regarding the current political situation that committees have been formed to address it. The public is aware and understands the reasons behind the formation of these committees,” he said.

Asif pointed out that if anyone other than Nawaz had been in his position, they would have pocketed $5 billion without considering national interests. He was reiterating the party’s claims that the PML-N president was offered the above mentioned amount by the United States to abandon the nuclear programme.

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He further accused the PTI founder of misusing funds intended for the Shaukat Khanum hospital by investing them in Muscat and France. “This person [Imran Khan] is dishonest, and his associates should realise this,” Asif stated.

On the topic of legal battles, Khan claimed that whenever he goes to court, the PTI founder’s lawyers flee due to the evidence he possesses. “It is a historical fact that this individual is a thief.”

Asif asserted that no one can challenge the defence of the country. He criticised Khan for “simultaneously insulting the United States while also seeking favour from it.”

The defence minister announced his plans to release a “white paper” against the PTI founder, aiming to expose the alleged corruption and dishonesty.