Pakistan, March 31 -- It takes an extraordinary amount of delusion to defend the shocking events that occurred on May 9, 2023. These events broke the underlying pattern of protest movements and introduced a new, terrifying normal for political violence. While no one in their right mind would stand by a cult-like entity that used cellphones and megaphones to direct attacks on security installations, not much has emanated from the state but mixed signals.

One branch of the judiciary believes in giving a befitting lesson to the rioters, while another wants to sit back and let the situation evolve on its own. As the Pandora's box keeps twirling, a reasonable, justifiable conclusion in the ongoing trials provides the only reliable approach in...