The military’s media wing dubbed May 9 – the day followers of Former Prime Minister Imran Khan targeted public and army installations with vandalism and arson attacks – a black day.
By Naveed Naqvi
RAWALPINDI: The Pakistani military Wednesday accused the leadership of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of orchestrating systematic attacks against military and public installations, and threatened of severe retaliation in case of any further attack.
A statement put out by the military’s Public Relations wing in response to Tuesday’s violence and vandalism perpetrated by PTI workers after the arrest of their leader in a corruption case dubbed May 9 as a dark day in the country’s history.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) noted in the statement how “there were systematic attacks on Army properties and installations and anti-army slogans were raised” at several locations.
“What the enemy of the country unable to do for 75 years has been done by this group wearing a political cloak in the lust for power”, the statement said. “Facilitators, planners and political operatives involved in these operations have been identified”.
It warned of strict action according to the law against any offenders, asserting no one can be allowed to incite the people and take the law into their hands.
The government has repeatedly asserted – and the Islamabad High Court has ruled – that Khan was detained lawfully by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with a case of corruption while holding public office.
However, Khan’s party started targeting important public and military installations in several parts of the country immediately after the news of his arrest broke.
The military said these attacks were systematic, and it took serious exception to the “anti-army slogans” chanted by demonstrators.
It said “these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfill their limited and selfish goals” on the one hand, and pay lip service to the importance of the army for the country on the other – concluding that it was all an eyewash to hoodwink the populace.
“The army showed extreme patience, tolerance, and restraint; and worked with utmost patience and tolerance in the larger interest of the country without caring about their own reputation”, it said.
The ISPR said that this situation created under nefarious planning was a heinous attempt to force the army to give its immediate reaction which can be used for its nefarious political purposes.
“The Army’s mature response thwarted this conspiracy”, it said. “We are well aware that behind it were orders, directives and complete pre-planning by some sinister party leadership.
“Facilitators, planners and political activists involved in these operations have been identified and strict action will be taken against them as per the law and all these evil elements will now be responsible for the consequences.
“Any further attack on the army, including all law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties will be severely retaliated.
“No one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands.”
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
