Punjab’s Caretaker Information Minister, Amir Mir, announced on Wednesday that between 30 and 40 protestors involved in the May 9 attacks on army installations, following the detention of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, were located within Zaman Park – the former premier’s residence.
Punjab’s Caretaker Information Minister urged the PTI leadership to surrender these individuals to law enforcement within a 24-hour.
In a press briefing, Mir accused Imran of disparaging the army and its leadership for a year, positioning the PTI as a “non-state entity.” He insisted that it appeared as though the law did not apply to Imran.
Mir stated that the former ruling party’s workers had caused damage to government properties, and thus, those involved in the attacks would face severe consequences.
He also revealed that during the assault on Jinnah House, the culprits communicated with individuals at Zaman Park.
Mir further announced that these “terrorists” would face trial in a military court.
During a corps commanders conference chaired by Army Chief Gen Asim Munir on Monday, it was decided that individuals involved in such attacks would face legal proceedings under Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and the Official Secret Act.
Conversely, Imran Khan claimed that those armed and involved in arson during the May 9 protests against his arrest were “implanted among the protesters.”
The former premier reiterated on Tuesday that he had always advised PTI workers to engage only in peaceful protests, regardless of provocation.
He emphasized that an “independent inquiry” would confirm his allegations that those armed and responsible for the arson were strategically placed among the protesters. He supported this claim with a pre-recorded video message from March 22, following an alleged “assassination attempt” at the Islamabad Judicial Complex on March 18.
Imran warned in the video, “Now they have devised another plan, and I am making everyone aware. I am alerting the judiciary and especially the Punjab police. The IG [Inspector General] of Punjab and IG Islamabad, supported by their handlers, have planned something else.
