- .Punjab Police
Geo News has cited sources stating that the Punjab Police is expected to launch a “grand crackdown” at the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in Zaman Park, Lahore.
The purpose of this operation is to arrest “30-40 terrorists allegedly involved in the May 9 riots and believed to be hiding there.”
In order to facilitate the operation, the authorities have actively blocked all roads leading toward Zaman Park and have deployed a substantial number of law enforcement personnel in the area
. Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir had previously issued a 24-hour deadline to the PTI chairman to hand over the wanted individuals.
- Punjab police
According to sources, the government is considering undertaking a “grand operation” after the expiration of the deadline. In light of this, the police have taken measures to seal off all roads leading to Zaman Park, and substantial deployment of law enforcement officers is present in the area. The inspector general of the Punjab police and the capital city’s CCPO has instructed, the police to remain “vigilant” in their duties.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Mir said that “30–40 terrorists involved in May 9 vandalism have taken refuge” at the home of the former prime minister in Lahore.
- Khan worried
Yesterday night, Khan expressed his concerns about the Punjab Police preparing for a crackdown. However, the temporary minister provided assurance to him that the province’s, plans would be made public after the deadline had passed.
In response to Khan’s apprehensions about potential detention, the information minister announced that the deadline would expire at 2 p.m. on Thursday.
Additionally, the PTI leader tweeted, that his home had been “surrounded” by the police following his removal as prime minister in April of last year. This tweet will be my last before I am arrested again.
Mir said that Khan is inciting people, just like always” Later that day on the Geo News show Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Ke Saath’. PTI’s leader was accused of “lying” by the minister of information.
- The Predicament
On Wednesday, Geo News reporter Azam Malik reported that the PTI chief permitted journalists access to his apartment because he was at Zaman Park.
Reporter: The reason behind allowing the media to have a look, at his residence is to show, then the people over there,” referring to the information minister’s claim that numerous terrorists were inside the residence, which could not be verified.
After the information minister warned that an “operation” would begin in 24 hours, he said, “Several PTI workers have also arrived at Zaman Park.”
- Crackdown
After the party chief’s arrest on May 9 sparked violent protests, including an attack, on the army’s headquarters, on May 10, police began rounding up, PTI leaders and workers.
Under the MPO, thousands of employees and upper-level management were detained.
The authorities have sworn to bring all the vandals to justice, and the army is resolved to prevent further instances like these.
The government and military have decided to use, the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets, Act to prosecute, those responsible for the attacks on defense sites.
However, several PTI leaders have publicly dissociated the party from the attacks on military, sites and insisted that the PTI backs the military.
