Punjab govt forming JIT to investigate attacks on military offices, personnel LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: The caretaker Punjab government has decided to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe attacks on military offices and personnel allegedly by the PTI supporters soon after the arrest of Imran Khan.
The JIT will investigate the vandalism and arson in the province. Attack on the residence of the Corps Commander of Lahore at the Jinnah House and other civil and military properties will also be on top of the list of the JIT.
On May 9, the enraged PTI supporters ransacked many public properties and also attacked the civil and military security personnel.
Islamabad police officials are torturing an unarmed PTI supporter who was protesting against the arrest of Imran Khan. A similar situation was seen in Punjab, KPK, and Sindh provinces.
The caretaker chief minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi chaired a cabinet meeting in Lahore and ordered police to pace up action against PTI men involved in the violence. He said all cases against the miscreants will be tried in the anti-terrorism court.
Section 144 extended in Punjab
The Punjab government extended the imposition of Section 144 in the province to maintain law and order after the release of PTI chairman Imran Khan on bail in multiple cases.
The additional Home Secretary of Punjab also issued a notification. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure authorizes the administration to issue orders in the public interest that may place a ban on an activity for a specific period.
In the Punjab province, Section 144 was imposed on May 9 in the wake of violent clashes between PTI supporters and security agencies after the arrest of Imran Khan in the Al Qadir Trust case. So far, more or less 2,000 protesters belonging to PTI have been arrested in a few days.
Touqir Ahmed Gondal (right) with former PTI Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan.
Police conducted a raid at the residence of PTI leader Touqir Ahmed Gondal
Meanwhile, police officials also raided the residence of Touqir Ahmed Gondal, former political coordinator of PTI’s Youth Wing in Mandi Bahauddin, a city in Punjab province.
Police wanted to arrest Touqir Ahmed Gondal, but he was not at home when police raided his residence, a PTI leader told the media. He said that every leader, office-bearer, and activist of PTI is on the hit list of the police.
Reacting to the police raid, Gondal said police could not change his determination and support for his party (Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf) and former prime minister Imran Khan.
IB warns of more violence
Moreover, the Intelligence Bureau (IB) has informed the administration of more violence after the release of former prime minister Imran Khan.
In a letter written to the Chief Commissioner Islamabad and the Inspector General of Islamabad Police, the Bureau urged them to take measures to secure state properties.
The Intelligence Bureau has written two separate letters. In one letter, the IB asked the Islamabad administration to protect the premises where former prime minister Imran Khan is being held (Police Guest House in Police Lines, Islamabad), and the adjoining buildings.
According to the IB, former prime minister Imran Khan has been making provocative statements against institutions.
About 7,000 PTI activists arrested: Imran Khan
In his tweet, the former prime minister and PTI chairman claimed that over 7,000 PTI workers and supporters had been jailed. He said that the government was targeting PTI leaders and supporters to weaken the party and victimize those supporting Imran Khan.
In his tweet, Khan said that the JUI-F supporters openly violated the law and forcibly entered the Red Zone, but police did not take any action against them.
