The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been given a 24-hour ultimatum by the interim Punjab government to turn over to the police the "30-40 terrorists that have taken refuge" in the PTI Chairman Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
At a news conference in Lahore, Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir stated, "PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course." Additionally, he stated that the government was aware of the existence of these "terrorists" since reliable intelligence reports were available.
Mir said that the intelligence assessment was "extremely alarming." Using geo-fencing the authorities were able to authenticate the presence of the "terrorists" in Zaman Park, he added.
PTI has started acting like a non-state actor, Mir said. He continued by saying that the PTI chief has been criticizing the military for more than a year.
"The PTI leadership had planned the attack before the arrest of Imran Khan," said Mir.
The government has adopted a "zero tolerance policy" towards it, and interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given the Punjab Police "freehand" to deal with "arsonists," the interim information minister revealed. Attacks on military installations were carried out during the violent protests on May 9 according to a predetermined plan, he added.
In response to a query, he stated that the attack on Jinnah House could have been easily avoided had the caretaker CM not prohibited the use of guns by the police. “We wished to keep the province free of bloodshed,” he added.
He said, "During the attack on the Corps Commander House, a number of arsonists communicated with individuals in Zaman Park. They will serve as an example to ensure that such behavior is never repeated.”
He said that those who have already been arrested are being thoroughly examined. Cases are only sent on after 100% verification of their participation, he added.
He reiterated that the "PTI miscreants" crossed a "red line" on May 9 and said that 795 assailants had been identified.
At a news conference in Lahore, Caretaker Information Minister Aamir Mir stated, "PTI should hand over these terrorists or the law will take its course." Additionally, he stated that the government was aware of the existence of these "terrorists" since reliable intelligence reports were available.
Mir said that the intelligence assessment was "extremely alarming." Using geo-fencing the authorities were able to authenticate the presence of the "terrorists" in Zaman Park, he added.
PTI has started acting like a non-state actor, Mir said. He continued by saying that the PTI chief has been criticizing the military for more than a year.
"The PTI leadership had planned the attack before the arrest of Imran Khan," said Mir.
The government has adopted a "zero tolerance policy" towards it, and interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given the Punjab Police "freehand" to deal with "arsonists," the interim information minister revealed. Attacks on military installations were carried out during the violent protests on May 9 according to a predetermined plan, he added.
In response to a query, he stated that the attack on Jinnah House could have been easily avoided had the caretaker CM not prohibited the use of guns by the police. “We wished to keep the province free of bloodshed,” he added.
He said, "During the attack on the Corps Commander House, a number of arsonists communicated with individuals in Zaman Park. They will serve as an example to ensure that such behavior is never repeated.”
He said that those who have already been arrested are being thoroughly examined. Cases are only sent on after 100% verification of their participation, he added.
He reiterated that the "PTI miscreants" crossed a "red line" on May 9 and said that 795 assailants had been identified.