By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The military said on Monday that the perpetrators responsible for the violent attacks on its installations and personnel following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan will be brought to justice through trials under the relevant laws of Pakistan, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.
During a special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC), the politically motivated and instigated incidents targeting military installations, public and private properties were strongly condemned. The commanders affirmed their commitment to addressing these challenges with utmost severity.
A military statement said the corps commanders engaged in extensive discussions regarding the recent law and order situation, which was exploited by the leadership of a political party for their own political advantage.
The Army Chief General Asim Munir presided over CCC.
“Based on the irrefutable evidence collected so far, armed forces are well aware of the planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators of these attacks, and attempts to create distortions in this regard are absolutely futile,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said.
Last week, Imran Khan was arrested in Islamabad in a land fraud case, leading to violent protests by his supporters. These protesters stormed military properties, set fire to a state broadcaster building, vandalized buses, attacked a top army general’s house, and targeted other assets. Hundreds were arrested in the aftermath and at least six people were killed. The army was subsequently deployed in multiple cities.
“The Forum resolved that restraint will no longer be exercised against perpetrators, spoilers and violators who attack military installations and setups under any circumstances,” the statement said.
“The Forum expressed firm resolve that those involved in these heinous crimes against the military installations and personal/equipment will be brought to justice through trials under relevant laws of Pakistan including Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act.”
The military also expressed concern over externally sponsored and internally facilitated propaganda warfare targeted at the Army leadership, with the aim of creating divisions between the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan, as well as within the rank and file of the Armed Forces.
“The vicious propaganda of such inimical forces will be defeated with the support of people of Pakistan, who have always stood with the Armed Forces during all odds,” the army said, calling for the “strict implementation of relevant laws to penalize the violators of the social media rules and regulations.”
However, the military also advised political leaders to develop a “national consensus” to address the ongoing political instability and restore public confidence, reinvigorate economic activity, and strengthen the democratic process. It expressed support for all efforts to reach this much-needed consensus.
The military’s statement marks a further escalation in the long-running showdown between the military and Khan.
In a video message, Imran Khan stated that the attacks on state institutions following his arrest last week were part of a “planned conspiracy” to get his party banned. He called for an independent inquiry and urged the nation to defeat this conspiracy.
“Miscreants with weapons were inserted into the protests under a planned conspiracy and they incited the protesters … we have video evidence of this, ” the former premier said.
Last week, Khan, appearing to get bail in the land fraud case in which he was arrested, told reporters he did not have a problem with the army as an institution but only the army chief, who was “petrified” of the ex-premier, would sack him if he returned to power.
“I doubt there is any sense in the army chief right now because he’s so petrified that if I win the elections, I’ll de-notify him, he’s dismantling the future of this country to protect himself,” Khan said to reporters during a break in the hearing.
“You have a man up there who, in order to preserve himself, is dismantling our democracy, our constitution, and fundamental rights, he’s basically dismantling the future of this country to protect himself. And I’ve assured him, I’ve said, ‘Look, I won’t remove you’. But there is some paranoia there.”
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