Military warns against May 9-like unrest, vows decisive action
ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) set to march towards Islamabad on October 4, the country’s top military commanders on Friday warned that any attempt to create violent unrest or a May 9-like situation would be dealt with through “decisive force and the rule of law, without hesitation or discrimination.”
The warning came as political tensions remain high over PTI’s planned march, which the party postponed from September 27 to October 4. PTI has maintained that the protest will proceed, while the government and opposition opened negotiations on Friday in an effort to defuse the standoff.
The position was expressed during the 277th Corps Commanders’ Conference, presided over by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF), at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Underscoring the importance of internal stability, the forum resolved that “any attempt to cause agitation or create 9th May-like situation, on any pretext whatsoever, will be dealt with decisive force and rule of law, without hesitation and discrimination.”
The ISPR statement did not name PTI or explicitly link the warning to the October 4 march.
The conference also reviewed the prevailing security environment and reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defence and targeted action against terrorism emanating from Afghanistan.
The commanders said the Taliban leadership, which they accused of facilitating terrorism on behalf of India, would bear responsibility for its consequences.
The forum appreciated sustained intelligence-based counter-terrorism operations by law enforcement agencies but stressed that kinetic measures should be complemented by non-kinetic initiatives.
It called for people-centric governance at the grassroots level, strategic engagement with the public, dismantling of the terror-crime nexus operating under the patronage of vested interests, and strengthening police capacity in line with the National Action Plan and Vision Azm-e-Istehkam.
The conference also welcomed the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye, describing it as contributing to longstanding strategic and collective defence ties.
The forum strongly condemned Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, expressed solidarity with the Kingdom and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the security and sanctity of the Haramain Sharifain.
It also reiterated Pakistan’s position on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), calling for resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Earlier, the forum offered Fateha for the personnel of the Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies, as well as civilians who lost their lives in service of the country, and paid tribute to their sacrifices.
In his concluding remarks, Field Marshal Munir commended formations for their operational preparedness and professionalism and directed commanders to further strengthen intelligence-based operations.
He also called for enhancing combat capabilities through the adoption of modern technology, training and multi-domain integration.
The COAS & CDF expressed confidence that the Armed Forces, with the support of the nation, remained fully prepared to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026