In yet another 'strongly worded' press release, this time in Urdu, the military's media Wing Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said there "was and is prior planning" behind the attacks on military installations and facilities yesterday (Tuesday, May 9) after the arrest of former premier Imran Khan.
The ISPR press release states that "chairman PTI was taken into legal custody yesterday from the Islamabad High Court according to NAB officials," in reference to Khan's arrest. The military noted that immediately after Khan's "legal" arrest, there were "organized attacks on army properties and installations, and anti-army slogans were raised".
"On the one hand, these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfill their limited and selfish goals and on the other hand, they do not get tired of highlighting the importance of the army for the country while throwing dust in the eyes of the people. This is an example," the press release said.
"What the eternal enemy of the country could not do for seventy-five years, this group - wearing the garb of politics - has done in its lust for power".
The ISPR says that the "army showed extreme patience, tolerance and restraint and without caring about its own reputation worked with extreme patience and endurance in the wider interest of the country".
The press release adds that the "army's mature response thwarted this conspiracy" and that the military was "well aware" that behind the rioting are "the orders, directives and manifest instructions of some nefarious leaders of this party".
"There was and is pre-planning" in the ransacking of the military's facilities on May 9, according to the ISPR.
"The facilitators, planners and political activists involved in the rioting have been identified, and strict action will be taken against them in accordance with the law," the Pakistan army said, vowing that "all these evil elements will now be responsible for the consequences".
The ISPR warns that "any further attack on the army, including law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties, will be severely retaliated against". The Pakistani military has said that all responsibility for such outcomes with rest on "the very group that wants to push Pakistan into a civil war, which has has expressed this desire and has repeatedly attacked the army".
"No one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands," the ISPR statement concluded.
The ISPR press release states that "chairman PTI was taken into legal custody yesterday from the Islamabad High Court according to NAB officials," in reference to Khan's arrest. The military noted that immediately after Khan's "legal" arrest, there were "organized attacks on army properties and installations, and anti-army slogans were raised".
"On the one hand, these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfill their limited and selfish goals and on the other hand, they do not get tired of highlighting the importance of the army for the country while throwing dust in the eyes of the people. This is an example," the press release said.
"What the eternal enemy of the country could not do for seventy-five years, this group - wearing the garb of politics - has done in its lust for power".
The ISPR says that the "army showed extreme patience, tolerance and restraint and without caring about its own reputation worked with extreme patience and endurance in the wider interest of the country".
The press release adds that the "army's mature response thwarted this conspiracy" and that the military was "well aware" that behind the rioting are "the orders, directives and manifest instructions of some nefarious leaders of this party".
"There was and is pre-planning" in the ransacking of the military's facilities on May 9, according to the ISPR.
"The facilitators, planners and political activists involved in the rioting have been identified, and strict action will be taken against them in accordance with the law," the Pakistan army said, vowing that "all these evil elements will now be responsible for the consequences".
The ISPR warns that "any further attack on the army, including law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties, will be severely retaliated against". The Pakistani military has said that all responsibility for such outcomes with rest on "the very group that wants to push Pakistan into a civil war, which has has expressed this desire and has repeatedly attacked the army".
"No one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands," the ISPR statement concluded.