General Syed Asim Munir gave separate pep talks to the army and police formations, and promised strict action against the perpetrators of Black Day mayhem.
By Naveed Naqvi
RAWALPINDI: Army chief Gen Asim Munir undertook a whirlwind visit of Lahore on Saturday in a show of solidarity with the rank and file of army and police formations charged with the security of the provincial capital, the military’s PR wing said here in the evening.
This was the commander-in-chief’s first such visit in the aftermath of the May 9 mayhem wrought by unruly mobs instigated by the party of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Gen Munir laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument and paid rich tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the motherland
He received a briefing on the events of the fateful day when an unruly mob of rioters ransacked, vandalised and set on fire the building once owned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Father of the Nation, but now used as the official residence of the Corps Commander, Lahore.
May 9, the day of the attack, has since been declared Black Day by both civilian leadership of the country and the military brass.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir inspected Jinnah House and received a briefing on the events of May 9, 2023, a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
The army chief gave separate pep-talks to army and police personnel, and took time out to visit the Services Hospital to inquire after the wellbeing of those injured by vandals on the Black Day.
The COAS also visited an unspecified Army installation that was “blatantly attacked and vandalised by politically motivated rioters” on the Black Day.
The ISPR statement said: “While addressing the Garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters, COAS said that legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors, and perpetrators involved in 9 May tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution of Pakistan”.
In his address, the COAS asserted: “Army draws its strength from people and any effort to create wedge between the Army and the people of Pakistan is an act against the State which is neither tolerable nor condonable under any circumstances.
“Hostile and inimical forces and their abettors have been trying hard to create confusion through fake news and propaganda but all such designs of the enemy will be defeated with the support of the nation, InshAllah.”
Later, visiting Services Hospital Lahore, the COAS inquired after the wellbeing of Ali Nasir Rizvi, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Punjab Police who was injured by political miscreants on the Black Day.
“The COAS also visited Qurban Lines and met with police officials”, the statement said. “The COAS paid homage to Shuhada of Police, appreciated the professionalism and restraint exercised by them” on the fateful day in the face of grave provocation.
Gen Munir assured Army’s full support to the law enforcement agencies for their capacity enhancement, intelligence sharing, and training.
Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Commander Lahore Corps.
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