LAHORE: The interim government of Pakistan’s Punjab province has given Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leader Imran Khan 24 hours to hand over all “30 to 40 terrorists who have taken refuge” in his residence here, according to a media report Wednesday.
At a press conference in Lahore, Acting Information Minister Aamir Mir said, “The PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course,” Geo News reported.
Calling the May 9 protesters “terrorists,” Mir said the government was aware of their presence at Khan’s residence in Zaman Park because it had credible intelligence reports.
“The intelligence report that has arrived is very alarming,” Mir said, adding that the agencies were able to confirm the presence of the “terrorists” in Zaman Park through geolocation.
Geo-fencing is a technology that makes it possible to record or limit the movements of a person, a vehicle, etc. using satellite signals.
Recalling the recent violent protests in the country following the arrest of deposed Prime Minister Khan, Mir claimed that “the PTI leadership had planned the attack before the arrest [of Imran Khan].”
The arrest of Khan, 70, on May 9 by paramilitary Pakistani Rangers at the High Court premises in Islamabad sparked unrest in Pakistan. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, protesters stormed the Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also set fire to the Body Commander’s house in Lahore. Police have killed 10 people in violent clashes while Khan’s party says 40 of its staff lost their lives in gunfire from security personnel.
Mir also alleged that the PTI leader had been targeting the military for over a year as part of an established plan.
Acting information minister says government has adopted a ‘zero tolerance policy’ on violence and acting chief minister Mohsin Naqvi has given Punjab police ‘carte blanche’ to deal with the “arsonists”, according to the report.
“Several arsonists were in contact with people inside Zaman Park during the attack on the corps commander’s house. They will become an example so that no one commits such an act in the future,” Mir said. .
“Those who have been arrested so far are under scrutiny. Cases are forwarded after 100% confirmation [of their involvement],” he said.
He said the government had decided that the attackers of the military installations would be tried in military courts, with an official announcement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office confirming that Pakistan’s National Security Committee had endorsed the decision made at the meeting of the corps commanders to judge the “attackers”. under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
However, the proposed decision to try the arsonists under the tough army law has come under heavy criticism, with rights groups such as Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission of the United States. Pakistan having expressed their concerns.
The military had previously issued a statement saying it would no longer show “restraint” against those who attacked its buildings, the report added.
At a press conference in Lahore, Acting Information Minister Aamir Mir said, “The PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course,” Geo News reported.
Calling the May 9 protesters “terrorists,” Mir said the government was aware of their presence at Khan’s residence in Zaman Park because it had credible intelligence reports.
“The intelligence report that has arrived is very alarming,” Mir said, adding that the agencies were able to confirm the presence of the “terrorists” in Zaman Park through geolocation.
Geo-fencing is a technology that makes it possible to record or limit the movements of a person, a vehicle, etc. using satellite signals.
Recalling the recent violent protests in the country following the arrest of deposed Prime Minister Khan, Mir claimed that “the PTI leadership had planned the attack before the arrest [of Imran Khan].”
The arrest of Khan, 70, on May 9 by paramilitary Pakistani Rangers at the High Court premises in Islamabad sparked unrest in Pakistan. For the first time in Pakistan’s history, protesters stormed the Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also set fire to the Body Commander’s house in Lahore. Police have killed 10 people in violent clashes while Khan’s party says 40 of its staff lost their lives in gunfire from security personnel.
Mir also alleged that the PTI leader had been targeting the military for over a year as part of an established plan.
Acting information minister says government has adopted a ‘zero tolerance policy’ on violence and acting chief minister Mohsin Naqvi has given Punjab police ‘carte blanche’ to deal with the “arsonists”, according to the report.
“Several arsonists were in contact with people inside Zaman Park during the attack on the corps commander’s house. They will become an example so that no one commits such an act in the future,” Mir said. .
“Those who have been arrested so far are under scrutiny. Cases are forwarded after 100% confirmation [of their involvement],” he said.
He said the government had decided that the attackers of the military installations would be tried in military courts, with an official announcement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office confirming that Pakistan’s National Security Committee had endorsed the decision made at the meeting of the corps commanders to judge the “attackers”. under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
However, the proposed decision to try the arsonists under the tough army law has come under heavy criticism, with rights groups such as Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission of the United States. Pakistan having expressed their concerns.
The military had previously issued a statement saying it would no longer show “restraint” against those who attacked its buildings, the report added.
