By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: The caretaker Information Minister of Punjab, Amir Mir, said intelligence reports suggest the presence of 30-40 terrorists responsible for recent attacks on military properties are believed hiding at the Lahore residence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Mir has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to surrender these individuals to the authorities.
The arrest of Imran Khan on May 9, in connection with a land fraud case, triggered violent protests across the country, resulting in the loss of at least eight lives.
Supporters of the opposition politician engaged in acts of violence, including attacking and setting fire to government and public buildings, including military properties.
As a response, the military said that those accused of attacking the army would face trial in military courts, while the government mandated the arrest and punishment of all rioters.
Numerous prominent aides of Khan are currently in custody, and the PTI party claims that approximately 7,000 supporters and leaders have been apprehended.
“Intelligence agencies’ geo-fencing efforts have indicated that the terrorists sought refuge at Zaman Park,” Minister Mir told a news conference.
“PTI is requested to hand over these terrorists to Punjab Police. The Punjab interim government is giving the PTI leadership 24 hours.”
Mir said the Punjab interim government has adopted a “zero tolerance policy” towards those involved in planning, facilitating, and perpetrating acts of violence.
“PTI is acting like an anti-state party and its Chairman Imran Khan has been targeting the military for more than a year.”
Minister Mir said the violent events were planned beforehand, and Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has authorized the police to apprehend the arsonists.
“The federal government, military leadership and Punjab government have decided to punish the attackers.”
Following the press conference, concerns have been raised about the potential escalation of pressure on Khan, his political party, and its supporters.
The PTI has accused the government of attempting to ban the party under the pretext of responding to violence.
The party alleges that armed anarchists intentionally infiltrated peaceful protesters as part of a well-planned scheme to cause chaos.
They also claim that evidence from nationwide protests indicates the involvement of Pakistani intelligence agencies in arson attacks and gunfire, without explicitly naming any agency.
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