ISLAMABAD – August 21, 2025
The Pakistan Army on Thursday dismissed reports suggesting that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir had sought an apology in connection with the May 9, 2023 riots, reiterating instead that those responsible must face accountability.
Speaking to reporters after an event in Islamabad, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry clarified that the army chief had made no such remarks during his stopover in Brussels earlier this month.
“Neither did the army chief make any political statement in Brussels, nor did he mention any apology,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said, stressing that May 9 is a national issue, not just a military matter. “Those who carried out the May 9 riots, along with their enablers and planners, must be held accountable as per the law,” he added.
The clarification came after senior journalist Suhail Warraich on August 16, claimed that Field Marshal Munir had told him in Brussels that “political reconciliation is possible only if there is a sincere apology.” The column, however, did not specify whom the statement was directed at.
Lt Gen Chaudhry insisted that the COAS did not comment on PTI or any other political party, and pointed out that “hundreds of people were present at the Brussels event, where attendees only took pictures with the field marshal.”
Reaffirming the Army’s broader stance, the ISPR chief described Pakistan as a nation with a pivotal role in the region. “This is the reason why it is frequently attacked. The youth should understand the legacy and history of their ideological state,” he noted.
Following the controversy, the PTI reiterated its demand for an empowered judicial commission to probe not only the May 9 riots, but also the November 26 protest incident and the 2024 general elections.
The May 9, 2023 unrest erupted after the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan, sparking violent attacks on state and military installations across the country. The military has since described the day as a “dark chapter” in national history, vowing accountability for all those involved.
