The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing
of the Pakistan Army, has termed the events that unfolded on May 9 as a
"black chapter" in the country's history, The Express Tribune
reported.
The ISPR in a statement issued in Urdu on Wednesday referred
to the protests that were held after the arrest of former Pakistan Prime
Minister Imran Khan. The ISPR said that the protests particularly targeted army
property and installations.
In a strongly-worded statement, the military's media wing
asserted that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.
Citing the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) statement and law, the ISPR
justified the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, as
per the news report.
The Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, has termed the
events that unfolded on May 9 as a "black chapter" in the country's
history, The Express Tribune reported.
The ISPR in a
statement issued in Urdu on Wednesday referred to the protests that were held
after the arrest of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. The ISPR said
that the protests particularly targeted army property and installations.
In a
strongly-worded statement, the military's media wing asserted that no one will
be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Citing the National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) statement and law, the ISPR justified the arrest of
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, as per the news report.
ISPR said that
there was a wave of attacks witnessed on the army's properties and
installations along with anti-army slogans being chanted following the arrest
of Imran Khan. It condemned those actions and raised its concerns regarding the
tactics used by certain elements within the protesting groups.
"Soon
after [Khan's arrest], there were organised attacks on army properties and
installations and anti-army slogans were raised," the military's media
wing said according to The Express Tribune report.
The ISPR criticised
the protesters and termed their actions as an attempt to manipulate the
country's sentiments for their own limited and selfish objectives. The military
wing said, "This is an example of hypocrisy. It stressed on the importance
of maintaining law and order and highlighted the need to respect the
institutions of Pakistan, according to The Express Tribune report.
According to the
statement, the army has shown extreme tolerance, patience, and restraint and
has worked with utmost patience and endurance in the best interests of the
country. The ISPR in the statement said, "As per strategy, a situation was
created to use the army's response for nefarious political purposes which was
thwarted by the army's vigilant response."
It further said,
"We are well aware that behind this, there were some orders, instructions,
and complete planning of some nefarious leaders of the party." The ISPR
said that those involved in facilitating, planning and political instigation
have been identified and strict action as per the law will be taken against
them. The ISPR warned that "strong and decisive action" will be taken
in the event of any further attacks on military and state installations, as per
the news report.
Attack and
vandalism by PTI workers have been reported in PAFMM Alam Air Base Mianwali,
The Pakistan Daily reported in a tweet. Several violent protests erupted across
Pakistan including at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the
residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore, which was once the house of
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan
on Tuesday afternoon.
People took to the
streets, resorted to violence, arson and even raised many slogans to register
their resentment against the arrest of ex-PM of Pakistan and PTI chief Imran
Khan, across Pakistan including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad,
Karachi, Quetta, Mardan, Bannu, and Chilas.
The protesting mob
resorted to stone pelting on houses, offices and vehicles, burning banners and
tyres and blocking roads. Several videos surfacing on social media platforms
show groups of men, some with their faces covered, entering the gated premises of
GHQ with sticks, which they later were seen using to hit the walls.