Punjab’s Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir said on Thursday that the law-enforcement agency would visit Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s Lahore residence after his permission and catch “terrorists” in front of the cameras.
“We [the interim government] have decided that instead of clashing, we will send a delegation to Khan Sahib under the supervision of the Lahore Commissioner,” Mir told JEE News.
The minister had given the PTI chief a 24-hour deadline to hand over the “30-40 terrorists” inside the Zaman Park residence, which expired at 2 pm today.
Mir said caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi held a meeting, in which it was decided that the delegation would meet Khan’s team and meet him tomorrow after Friday prayers.
“They will ask him [Khan] to allow them to conduct a search operation. A police party of 400 personnel will accompany the delegation as the presence of terrorists is reported.”
Khan had also asked law enforcement agencies to conduct an operation at his residence, but noted that they should carry a valid search warrant with them.
“If he does not allow the delegation to conduct searches, we will decide our strategy, but for now, we want things to be done in a positive manner,” the minister added.
‘Khan’s jokes’
The PTI chief also expressed concern that the police did not carry out the operation because they wanted to “plant” people at their homes and later make them appear as terrorists, but the minister said that now everything It will be done in front of the cameras.
“Khan’s jokes should not be given too much attention. How are we going to put so many people – 40 – there? He is talking nonsense,” the minister stressed.
The caretaker minister said the government had no plans yet to arrest Khan and warned them to stop spreading false news about his possible arrest.
“We have no intention of arresting Khan despite his clamor. Even if we don’t come to arrest him, some other authorities will take him into custody. He should not talk about his arrest for now. “
Eight terrorists arrested
Moments before speaking to Khanzada, Mir said authorities had captured eight terrorists who were escaping from Zaman Park.
“We have arrested eight terrorists who were present in Zaman Park. We are interrogating them and asking them for details, including who might be hiding inside the house.”
He said the 24-hour ultimatum helped authorities nab the people as they started to leave Zaman Park.
The reason for using the term terrorist for him is that he was involved in the Lahore Corps Commander House.
“We have information that some people involved in the attacks are hiding in houses adjacent to Khan’s house.”
Situation
JEE News Reporter, who is in Zaman Park, said journalists were allowed to enter Khan’s residence at 2pm and could roam around “freely”.
Malik said he saw only Khan’s personal security guards at his house today. The roof, which was previously surrounded by barbed wire, is now shielded with bulletproof glass.
Part of Khan’s room, where he meets people, is also shielded with bulletproof glass.
In Zaman Park, no party workers were seen at the security check posts, he said, adding that 30-40 tents outside Khan’s house – which had been there the day before – were also removed.
Malik added that 8-12 workers were present at Zaman Park but when they left, sources told us that the police arrested them.
“Currently, there is not a single worker at Khan’s residence. Only security personnel are present,” he added.
The reporter added that during the PTI chief’s conversation, he appeared to be in a negotiating mood.
