President urges PTI chief to denounce May 9 rioting.

KARACHI -- President Dr Arif Alvi, who belongs to the PTI, on Thursday said his party chairman and deposed premier Imran Khan should condemn the violence triggered on May 9 in the wake of the latter's arrest.

Speaking to a private news channel, the president stressed the need for bringing those involved in the May 9 mayhem -- including the attack on Lahore's Jinnah House and military installations across the country -- to justice.

However, he added that these incidents should be thoroughly and Independently investigated first.

President Alvi called for taking into account human rights and avoid torture in the crackdown on those involved in the May 9 violence.

At the same time, he also said any protest must be staged within the law.

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The president said he had written a letter to the army chief, expressing his grief over the May 9 violence and the attacks on the military installations.

He pointed out that PPP stalwart Raza Rabbani had opposed military courts and demanded trying the May 9 culprits by the civilian judiciary.

'This is a good tradition and politicians should discuss this matter,' he added.

The president conceded that military courts set up during the premiership of Imran were a wrong decision.

However, he continued that as soon as these military courts reached their scheduled time, the cases were transferred to the civilian judiciary.

Alvi noted that the Supreme Court and parliament had also overturned some decisions taken under the Army Act.

'Politicians have to think about the cases registered under this law [Army Act],' he added.

The president maintained that there was a need to review the cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism...