Rawalpindi (Web Desk): The military's media wing on Wednesday said that May 9 will be remembered as a “black chapter” referring to violent protests “targeting army property and installations” that took place after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan’s arrest in Islamabad on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that after Imran Khan's arrest from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) orders, a “well-thought-out plan” was witnessed in which the army was targetted.
“Immediately after this arrest, attacks were perpetrated on the army’s properties and installations while slogans anti-army slogans were raised,” the statement said.
The military's media wing called the PTI leaders “hypocrites” for inciting their workers against the armed forces on the one hand, and on the other, they were praising the military, in a bid to overshadow their criticism.
“On the one hand, these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfil their narrow and selfish goals and on the other, they do not get tired of highlighting the importance of the army for the country while throwing dust in the eyes of the people. This is an example of hypocrisy, ”the statement said.
The statement added that a group of people, draping political garb in their lust for power, have done unprecedented damages to the country that Pakistan’s enemies since its inception have not.
“The army showed extreme patience, tolerance and restraint and without caring about its own reputation worked with extreme patience and endurance in the wider interest of the country,” the ISPR said.
It said what the eternal foe of Pakistan could not achieve in 75 years, this power hungry group, clad in political cloak had done.
The military's media wing said that the armed forces are well aware of directives of some evil leadership of a party behind all this planning.
The ISPR further said that facilitators, planners and political activists involved in these incidents have been identified and strict action will be taken against them as per law and all such elements will now be responsible for the consequences.
“No one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands,” the military's media wing added.
The ISPR statement comes a day after PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested from the premises of the IHC in a case pertaining to the Al-Qadir Trust. He has now been handed over to the NAB for eight days.
Following Imran’s arrest, massive protests broke out across the country.
The demonstrations also witnessed clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies, leading to property damage and disruptions in several areas.