Imran Khan Offers Conditional Apology for May 9 Riots, Demands CCTV Footage Release
Imran Khan, founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and currently incarcerated, has announced a conditional apology for the May 9 riots, contingent upon the release of CCTV footage of the events.
Speaking to media from Adiala Jail, Khan emphasized that the footage is crucial for identifying those responsible for the violence. “If it is shown that the culprits are affiliated with PTI, I will not only expel them from the party but also issue an apology,” he stated.
Khan asserted that PTI is the true victim of the riots and questioned why evidence is being concealed. “Hiding evidence is a crime,” he remarked, adding that he was ‘kidnapped’ under the guise of an arrest and is demanding an apology for his alleged abduction.
The PTI founder reiterated his commitment to peaceful protest and called for the release of the CCTV footage to expose the real culprits. Khan also expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with the army, stating, “The army is a national institution, and protecting it is everyone’s responsibility. We do not seek chaos; I am prepared to talk with the army for the country’s sake.”
In response to questions, Khan admitted that while PTI supporters did use petrol bombs at Zaman Park in Lahore, they did not use them elsewhere. He affirmed that any PTI official found responsible for targeting institutional buildings with petrol bombs should face severe punishment.
