The Pakistan Army’s media arm, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), called what happened on May 9 a “black chapter” in the country’s past, according to The Express Tribune.
In a statement released in Urdu on Wednesday, the ISPR talked about the protests that happened after former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested. The ISPR said that the protests were aimed at army property and sites in particular.
The military’s media arm said in a strong statement that no one will be allowed to break the law on their own. According to a news source, the ISPR said that Imran Khan’s arrest was OK because of a statement from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and a law.
ISPR said that after Imran Khan was arrested, there was a wave of attacks on army property and sites, and anti-army slogans were shouted. It said that those acts were wrong and that it was worried about how some people in the protesting groups were acting.
The military’s media wing told The Express Tribune, “Soon after [Khan’s arrest], there were organized attacks on army property and installations, and anti-army slogans were shouted.”
The ISPR criticized the protesters and said that what they were doing was an effort to use the country’s emotions to achieve their own limited and selfish goals. “This is an example of hypocrisy,” the military side said. According to a report in The Express Tribune, it stressed how important it was to keep the law and order and how important it was to protect Pakistan’s institutions.
The statement says that the army has shown a lot of tolerance, patience, and control. They have also worked with the most patience and endurance for the good of the country. In a statement, the ISPR said, “As planned, a situation was set up to use the army’s response for bad political reasons, but the army’s quick response stopped that.”
It went on to say, “We are well aware that some bad leaders of the party were behind this with orders, instructions, and a full plan.” The ISPR said that those who helped, planned, and stirred up political trouble have been found and will be punished harshly according to the law. According to a news source, the ISPR said that if there are any more attacks on military and government buildings, “strong and decisive action” will be taken.
The Pakistan Daily said in a tweet that attacks and damage by PTI workers were reported at PAFMM Alam Air Base Mianwali. After former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, violent protests broke out all over Pakistan, including at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the apartment of the Corps Commander in Lahore, which was once the home of Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
People all over Pakistan, including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Karachi, Quetta, Mardan, Bannu, and Chilas, took to the streets, got violent, set fires, and chanted chants to show their anger at the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister and PTI leader Imran Khan.
The protesters threw rocks at houses, businesses, and cars, set fire to banners and tires, and blocked roads. Several videos that are being shared on social media show groups of men, some of whom have their faces hidden, going through the gates of GHQ with sticks, which they then use to hit the walls.
