- ISPR has referred to the protests that followed Imran Khan’s arrest as a “black chapter”.
- The protests were targeting army property and installations.
- The statement was issued on May 10 by the military’s media wing.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has referred to the protests that followed the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan on May 9. Major General Ahmad Sharif declares May 9 as a “black chapter”. The military’s media wing issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the violent demonstrations that targeted army property and installations.
The ISPR stated that the military would not allow anyone to take the law into their own hands. It further emphasized that Imran Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court was in line with the NAB statement and the law. The statement also highlighted that immediately after the arrest, anti-army slogans were raised, and the army’s properties and installations were attacked.
The ISPR criticized those who had perpetrated violence against army property, calling them “miscreants” who evoke the nation’s emotions for achieving their limited and selfish objectives. The military also accused them of deceiving people by highlighting the army’s importance while carrying out violent attacks against it.
The army’s media wing warned that any further attack on the army, law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties would be severely retaliated. It added that no one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands.
The protests broke out across the country after Imran Khan was whisked away by paramilitary forces from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in a case pertaining to the Al-Qadir Trust. He has now been handed over to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for eight days.
The protestors targeted military cantonments, General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi, and offices of the Frontier Crops. There are a large number of anti-military hashtags started trending on all social media platforms.
The ISPR called the situation a “nefarious planning” to push Pakistan into a civil war, and urged people to exercise restraint. It added that the army’s mature response had thwarted the conspiracy to use the army’s reaction for nefarious political purposes.
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The military’s media wing also urged people to refrain from taking the law into their hands and inciting violence. It stated that the responsibility of any further attacks on the army and state installations would be on the protestors themselves.
In conclusion, the army’s media wing warned against the use of violence and incitement, and stated that it would take strict action against those who violate the law. It called for people to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution of the current situation.
