While the advent of May 9, the first anniversary of attacks on some military installations after Imran Khan was taken into custody, had certainly prompted dark apprehensions about its political fallout, the day itself turned out to be more explosive than the pundits had foreseen. And this is bound to be ominous in the context of the bad blood that exists between the PTI and the security establishment.

Even a cursory look at what transpired this May 9 – Thursday – would suggest that the stage is being set for stringent moves against the PTI and its leadership. The rising political temperature could soon reach boiling point. Or is the sound and fury that we have witnessed just an observance of the first anniversary of another day of infamy in our history?

The present rulers seem intent on action. The tempo is carefully being built. Watching news channels on Thursday, one felt overawed by the message that was delivered repetitiously. A range of activities had been planned, including a special meeting of the federal cabinet and an event in Islamabad that was addressed by the prime minister and was dedicated to the martyrs. The slogan for the day was: “May 9, never again”.

Eventually, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif classified the May 9 riots of last year as a “rebellion” against the state and also against the army and its chief. He said that the protests were aimed at ending democracy and establishing a dictatorship.

On his part, COAS Gen........

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