— Asif says Govt mulling to ban PTI
— Crackdown on PTI activists continues unabated
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday firmly blamed Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for May 9 riots, claiming that former prime minister was “mastermind” behind riots and incidents of vandalism following his arrest, stating that he cannot acquit himself of responsibility.
He said this while addressing the Martyrs Protection Convention at the Jinnah Convention Center in Islamabad, where he also expressed his firm stance against the miscreants who crossed the red line on May 9. The prime minister went on to assert that the miscreants of former ruling party, led by Khan, intentionally provoked the people as part of a premeditated plan.
He emphasised that no guilty person would be spared, and no innocent person would be punished, regardless of any recommendations he might make. During his speech, the prime minister commended the gathering for paying homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to defend Pakistan’s soil and homeland. He regarded these martyrs as valuable assets and national heroes, underscoring the importance of never forgetting their sacrifices, which were cultivated with blood.
Acknowledging the sacrifices of Pakistan’s forces, law enforcement agencies, police, and security personnel, Shehbaz Sharif credited their contributions to bringing peace and stability to the country. However, he also highlighted that the events of May 9 would forever be remembered as a “dark day” that should not be forgotten.
Shehbaz Sharif raised a pertinent question, asking if any political party should be allowed to attack the state in the event of an arrest. He contrasted the treatment of the opposition during Khan’s tenure, where they were imprisoned without resorting to unlawful actions that harmed the state or its defence institutions. He reminded the audience that even in the face of adversity, no political party had ever harmed the country brought shame to its flag.
Regarding the May 9 incident, the prime minister described it as an unforgivable crime and an attack on the state. He expressed his concern for the desecration of pictures and memorials of the martyrs, empathising with the pain experienced by their heirs and relatives. Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the strength of the state, reassuring the nation that those responsible for the attack would be brought to justice.
He reiterated that no guilty person would be spared, and the government would take strict action against the culprits in accordance with the law. The prime minister emphasised the need to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future by enforcing robust measures against those who dare to challenge the state.
Ban on PTI being considered: Khwaja Asif
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that a ban on the PTI is being considered.
While talking to the media at the Parliament House, Asif said Imran Khan has not condemned the events of May 9 in clear words till date. The PTI chairman said if he is arrested again, there will be a similar reaction, he added.
After the no-confidence motion, all of Imran Khan’s actions have backfired, the minister further said, adding Imran Khan’s party is not able to bear the burden of his wrong decisions.
Asif further said those who attacked the Corps Commander House had nefarious motives, claiming the attacks were carried out under a plan, the details of which he said he didn’t want to divulge.
Apart from Radio Pakistan, no civilian building was attacked, the minister said, adding a ban on the PTI is being considered.
He further said any decision regarding the ban will be taken unanimously by the PDM. If a decision is taken to ban the PTI, parliament will be taken into confidence, he added.
It has to be ensured that the respect of the army remains intact, Asif remarked, adding every such step will be taken so that no one can use the Pakistan Army for their politics.
The minster also called Imran Khan a dishonest, disloyal person, who made the armed forces a party in his struggle for power.
“Nawaz Sharif was stripped of power but no incident like May 9 happened,” the minister commented. Asif He further said there was no legitimate reason to ban political parties earlier, the minister said, adding there is no international pressure on the government and all the decisions will be made in the county’s interests.
Crackdown on PTI continues; several leaders’ residences raided
Amid continuing crackdown on party workers, supporters and leadership, the PTI said on Wednesday that residences of many senior leaders including Hammad Azhar, Omar Ayub Khan and Ali Nawaz Awan were raided overnight.
On the PTI Islamabad’s Twitter handle, the party asserted that during a raid former federal minister Hammad Azhar’s 82-year-old father was threatened and a warning was given that his daughter would be ‘whisked away’ if his son didn’t surrender to the police.
The PTI also claimed that police had conducted a raid at party’s Islamabad region president Ali Nawaz Awan house.
Separately, PTI leader Omar Ayub alleged that the Islamabad Police raided and searched his house without a warrant, abducted his staff and threatened to arrest his son.
“This is the level this imported government is stooping too low,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, condemning the re-arrest and ‘custodial torture’ of PTI leaders, workers and supporters, party chief Imran Khan vowed to ‘resist till my last breath’.
“The constitution is being brazenly violated along with SC (Supreme Court) rulings. Police are being used to crush PTI, our leaders forced to quit the party,” he further said in a tweet, adding that “giving into this cruelty means the death of our nation”.
