The armed forces, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and the services chiefs, have strongly condemned the "criminal acts" perpetrated on May 9, 2023, calling it a 'Black Day'.
According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations, the armed forces said that on this "one of the darkest days" in national history, politically motivated and brainwashed miscreants, in an act of rebellion, deliberately targeted state institutions and vandalised "sacred symbols" of the state as well as sites belonging to national heritage.
"It was a futile attempt to bring about a misplaced and short-sighted revolution in the country. By displaying utmost restraint during this deliberate and brazenly orchestrated violence, Pakistan Armed Forces (sic) thwarted the insidious conspiracy by the planners, facilitators and executors, who wanted to destabilise Pakistan by inciting confrontation between the people and the Armed Forces," the statement said.
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It further said that failing to undermine national harmony and stability, the perpetrators of the "conspiracy" launched a "sinister campaign" of hate against the armed forces and the state, intended to twist the narrative to their advantage and shift the blame on state institutions.
"It is precisely for this reason that there can neither be any compromise with the planners, facilitators, and executors of the May 9 tragedy nor will they be allowed to hoodwink the law of land," the statement stressed, adding that bringing the real culprits of May 9 to justice was paramount to ensuring that in the future, no one dared to repeat such “unwarranted conduct”.
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Today, the ISPR said, the armed forces renewed their resolve to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and defeat the nefarious designs of the enemies of the country, both external and internal.
"Our Shuhada and their families are Pride of Pakistan (sic). The Armed Forces of Pakistan pledge to uphold their dignity and respect at all costs. Pakistan Armed Forces hold a very special relationship with the people of Pakistan. Today, let’s join hands to strongly denounce the conspiracies to weaken Pakistan and work together for the prosperity and stability of our beloved country," the statement concluded.
