Wednesday May 10, 2023
The army warns of retaliation in case of further attacks.
The army calls PTI's actions "an example of hypocrisy".
"The military has shown extreme patience, tolerance and restraint."
RAWALPINDI: In a rare reaction, the armed forces on Wednesday said May 9, 2023 — the day chaos gripped the nation following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) president Imran Khan — will go down in history as "dark". chapter".
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that after the PTI chief was arrested by the Islamabad High Court on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau, it witnessed a "well-thought-out plan" targeting the army.
"Soon after [Khan's arrest] there were organized attacks on army facilities and installations and anti-military slogans were raised," the army's media wing said.
The ISPR called PTI leaders "hypocrites" for inciting their workers against the armed forces on one hand and praising the army on the other - in an attempt to overshadow their criticism.
“On the one hand, these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfill their narrow and selfish goals, and on the other hand, they never tire of emphasizing the importance of the military to the country and throwing dust in people's eyes. . That is an example of hypocrisy.”
The army's media wing added that a group of people - cloaking political garb in their lust for power - had caused unprecedented damage to the country, which Pakistan's enemies had not done since its inception.
"The army has shown extreme patience, tolerance and restraint and, regardless of its own reputation, has worked with extreme patience and perseverance in the larger interest of the country."
The statement mentioned that when such a situation occurred under nefarious conduct, a heinous offer was made to compel the military to respond immediately, which could be used for nefarious political purposes.
“However, the mature response of the military thwarted this plot. We are well aware that there were orders, directives and complete pre-planning of some sinister party leadership behind it,” the statement added.
Facilitators, planners and political activists involved in the protests have been identified and strict action will now be taken against them "in accordance with the law and all these evil elements will now be held responsible for the consequences," the army said.
The ISPR added that any further attack - by a "genuine group that wants to push Pakistan into civil war" - on the military, including all law enforcement agencies, military and government installations and properties, would be met with severe retaliation.
"No one should be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands," the ISPR added.
The PTI chief's arrest triggered sharp protests by party workers who took to the streets across the country and damaged public and private property. At least four people have so far lost their lives amid the chaos.
The drama follows months of political crisis during which Khan, who was ousted in April last year, waged an unprecedented campaign against the establishment and the government.
The ongoing protests - which have entered a second day - appear to show no signs of stopping as an accountability court sent the ousted prime minister into eight days of physical custody.
