The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been given a 24-hour deadline by the interim Punjab government to hand over to the police the “30-40 terrorists that have taken refuge” at the former prime minister’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
“PTI should hand over these terrorists hiding in Zaman Park or the law will take its course,” said Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir while addressing a press conference in Lahore. He also added that the government was aware of the presence of these “terrorists” as it had credible intelligence reports.
“The intelligence report that has come is very alarming,” said Mir. He added that the agencies were able to confirm the presence of the “terrorists” in Zaman Park through geo-fencing.
“PTI is starting to behave like a non-state actor,” said Mir. He added that the PTI chief has been targeting the military for over a year and urged the party to hand over the “terrorists”.
“The PTI leadership had planned the attack before the arrest [of Imran Khan],” said Mir.
The interim information minister shared that attacks on military installations were carried out during May 9 violent protests under a set plan, adding that the government has adopted a “zero tolerance policy” towards it and interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given a “freehand” to the Punjab Police to deal with “arsonists”.
While responding to a question, he said that the attack on Jinnah House could have been easily prevented, but the caretaker CM had barred 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. They will be made an example so that no one will carry out such an act in the future,” Mir said.
The interim information minister further added that the government has decided that those who attacked military installations will be tried in military courts.
“Those who have been arrested so far are being fully scrutinized. Cases are being forwarded after 100% confirmation [of their involvement],” Mir maintained.
Reiterating that the “PTI miscreants” crossed a “red line” on May 9, he revealed that 795 attackers have been identified out of which 78 have been physically remanded and 609 have been judicially remanded.
“Those who challenged the writ of the state will be made to run in such a way that they will be able to participate in the Olympics,” Mir told journalists in a sarcastic tone warning of serious repercussions.
At least eight people were killed in clashes between Khan’s supporters and security forces on May 9 in Islamabad after he was taken into custody by paramilitary troops acting under orders from the National Accountability Bureau. Numerous others, including the PTI leader’s close political allies and aides, were also detained.
On Tuesday, the National Security Committee, which is presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, supported a military initiative to take legal action against those who participated in the violence.
The army had earlier made an acerbic statement declaring that it would no longer exercise “restraint” when people attacked its buildings.
Also read: Watch: PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry runs to evade police arrest
