Punjab Interim Information Minister Aamir Mir on Wednesday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hand over “terrorists hiding in Zaman Park” within the next 24 hours.
Addressing a press conference, Mir said that around 30-40 terrorists involved in the May 9 vandalism have taken shelter at the former prime minister’s residence in Lahore.
“PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course,” he warned, adding that the government was aware of the presence of these elements based on corroborated intelligence reports.
Accusing the PTI of behaving like a “non-state actor”, Mir recalled that the PTI chief had been targeting the army for over a year.
The Acting Information Minister said the attacks on military installations were carried out as part of a planned plan during the May 9 violent protests, adding that the government had adopted a “zero tolerance” policy for it and that interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given them a “free hand”. Punjab Police to deal with “arsonists”.
In response to a question, he said that the attack on Jinnah House could have been easily prevented but the caretaker chief minister stopped the police from using weapons. “We wanted to avoid bloodshed in the province.”
“Several arsonists were in touch with people inside Zaman Park during the attack on the Corps Commander House. An example will be made of them so that no such act will happen in future,” Mir said.
The Interim Information Minister added that the government has decided that those who attack military installations will be prosecuted in military courts.
“Those who have been arrested so far are being thoroughly investigated. Cases are being taken forward after 100 percent confirmation [of their involvement],” Mir said.
Reiterating that “PTI miscreants” had crossed the “red line” on May 9, he revealed that 795 attackers had been identified, of which 78 were on physical remand and 609 on remand. has been given on judicial remand.
“Those who have defied the writ of the state will be run so that they can compete in the Olympics,” Mir said in a mocking tone to reporters, warning of dire consequences.
On May 9, the arrest of Khan by paramilitary forces in Islamabad at the behest of the National Accountability Bureau led to clashes between his supporters and security forces in which at least eight people were killed. Several other people including PTI leader’s close aides and political associates were arrested.
On Tuesday, the National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif supported the army’s move to take action against those involved in the violence.
The army had earlier issued a strongly worded statement saying it would show no more “restraint” against those attacking its buildings.
