Pak Military Responds to Protests Following Imran Khan’s Arrest

A statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday referred to the May 9 protests that targeted military property and installations following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan as a “dark chapter” in history.

The military’s media wing emphasized that they will not let anyone take the law into their own hands.

According to the statement, Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) statement and law. Following the arrest, the military’s properties and installations were attacked, and anti-army slogans were raised.

The ISPR criticized those exploiting the nation’s emotions for their personal goals and deceiving the public, labeling their actions hypocritical. The statement pointed out that such groups, driven by their lust for power, have accomplished what enemies couldn’t in 75 years.

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Despite the challenges, the military demonstrated patience and restraint, prioritizing the nation’s interests. The ISPR added that the army’s mature response successfully thwarted conspiracies to provoke it for political gain.

The statement identified the planners, facilitators, and political activists involved in the protests and declared they would face legal consequences. Furthermore, any further attacks on the military, law enforcement agencies, and state installations would be met with strong retaliation, with the responsibility resting on the group inciting unrest in the country.

The ISPR’s statement comes one day after Imran Khan’s arrest, which led to widespread protests across Pakistan, including outside military cantonments, General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi, and Frontier Crops offices. Anti-military hashtags began trending on social media in response to these events.