Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir on Wednesday warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), asking it to handover “terrorists hiding in Zaman Park” within the next 24 hours.
Mir, while addressing a press conference, said that almost “30-40 terrorists involved in May 9 vandalism have taken refuge” at the former prime minister’s residence in Lahore.
“PTI should handover these terrorists or the law will take its course,” he warned, adding that the government was aware of the presence of these elements on the basis of credible intelligence reports.
Accusing the PTI of behaving like a “non-state actor”, Mir recalled that the PTI chief has been targeting the military since over a year.
The acting information minister said that attacks on military installations were carried out during May 9 violent protests under a set plan, adding that the government has adopted a “zero tolerance policy” towards it and interim Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has given a “freehand” to the Punjab Police to deal with “arsonists”.
While responding to a question, he said that the attack on Jinnah House could have been easily prevented, but the caretaker CM had barred the police from using weapons. “We wanted to avoid bloodshed in the province.”
“Several arsonists were in touch with people inside Zaman Park during the attack on the Corps Commander House. They will be made an example so that no one will carry out such an act in the future,” Mir said.