Wednesday May 10, 2023
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday said strict action would be taken against "enemies of the state" as he slammed the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for the violence that gripped the country following the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
In his address to the nation, the prime minister came down heavily against the PTI, terming the actions of the party workers as "unforgivable crimes".
"The miscreants will be dealt with with an iron hand. They will be punished according to law,” the prime minister said, calling on the PTI protesters to stop their “anti-state activities” immediately.
He added that by organizing violent protests, the party workers had done in a few days what the enemies of the country had not done in 75 years.
He praised the nation for "rejecting the anti-state agenda" and also commended law enforcement agencies, including the military, for showing restraint in the face of violent protests.
He also accused the PTI leadership including Khan of inciting "several hundred armed workers" to attack the Pakistan Army.
PTI workers were "carrying out patients from ambulances and setting fire to vehicles", the prime minister said, adding that party workers had shown their "anti-state tendencies" by damaging government infrastructure.
“They attacked sensitive assets as if they were enemies. I have never seen such heart-rending scenes."
Prime Minister Shehbaz reiterated that protecting the country and its ideology is his responsibility. "We will not allow anyone to conspire. We will not let their nefarious agenda succeed,” he declared.
"All Evidence Present in Al-Qadir Trust Case"
The prime minister emphasized that enforcing the rule of law means fighting in court. “Khan was arrested in connection with a corruption case. All the evidence is present in the Al Qadir Trust case which NAB (National Accountability Bureau) is investigating.
He questioned how Khan got the then federal cabinet to approve a decision on the Rs 60 billion issue without sharing the details with the members.
However, he said that happiness should not be shown over the arrest of a political worker.
"bitter" political history
The prime minister began his speech by declaring that the country's political history had been "very bitter".
During PTI's tenure, cases were arbitrarily registered and the previous government decided who to send to jail and whom to show mercy, he alleged.
“A case related to possession of 15 kilograms of heroine has been registered against [acting interior minister] Rana Sanaullah. It was the darkest period in Pakistan's history."
The country's development has been badly affected by the PTI government's "blind political revenge", he continued.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the incumbent government was trying to resolve issues related to NAB - on whose orders Khan was arrested - and approved the amendment.
“The first beneficiary of the NAB law amendment is Imran Khan,” he said.
Referring to cases against him and other Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders, Shehbaz said they faced them and appeared in courts despite reservations. "None of the allegations against us have been proven.
“The UK's National Crime Agency has also given us a clean chit.
A day earlier, PTI chairman Khan was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Rangers personnel on the orders of NAB. The court today granted the anti-graft watchdog Khan's physical custody for eight days.
Violent protests broke out across the country following the arrests, which are now in their second day.
The violence claimed at least four lives in Peshawar with multiple injuries, including injuries to officials, reported from across the country. The government also said PTI workers attacked important government buildings and damaged private and public vehicles.
The army was called in to Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and the federal capital to deal with the protests.
Meanwhile, Sindh has introduced Section 144 to curb protests organized by former workers and supporters of the ruling party.
