Army called out in Punjab, K-P as 6 die in violence

PESHAWAR/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE:

Army troops were called out in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Wednesday, as authorities sought to quell the deadly unrest following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

In the two provinces, at least six people died in violence which continued for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Authorities arrested nearly 1,500 PTI workers and leaders in Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and other parts of the country.

Government buildings and assets were attacked and set ablaze by protesters in many cities in the two days. The authorities said that scores of policemen were severely injured in clashes with the protesters.

In view of the unrest, the federal cabinet approved the deployment of Pakistan Army under Article 245 of the Constitution in Punjab, K-P, and the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) on the recommendation of the interior ministry.

The cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, took stock of the overall situation in the country and strongly condemned violent incidents leading to damages to properties in different cities.

According to the PM Office’s Media Wing, the ministers berated the PTI and its Chairman Imran for a non-stop diatribe against the national institutions and their leadership.

According to a notification issued by the interior ministry, "the exact number of troops or assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial governments in consultation with" the military officials.

"The exact number of troops or assets, date and area of deployment will be worked out by the provincial government in consultation with" the military officials, the orders stated.

"The date of de-requisitioning of said deployment will be decided subsequently after mutual consultation among the stakeholders," it added.

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The military issued a separate statement saying it had shown restraint during earlier violence but any further attacks on the military or law enforcement agencies, state installations and properties "will be met with severe retaliation".

Meanwhile, violent clashes continued in multiple cities for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. Officials at the Edhi Foundation reported two deaths in Lahore, while another four were reported from Peshawar.

The protesters closed down markets in Peshawar and other parts of K-P. Multiple petrol and CNG stations were also closed. The BRT service was restored but the number of commuters was low.

Colleges across the province had been closed until May 14 while all government and private schools until May 13. The matriculation exams had also been postponed, officials said.

At least four people were killed and 84 sustained injuries in Peshawar. The PTI supporters led by former K-P minister Shaukat Yousafzai blocked the main GT Road near Hashtnagri.

Later, a mob clashed with the police and vandalised the Radio Pakistan building.

“Hundreds of miscreants stormed the Radio Pakistan building and wreaked havoc in the newsroom and various other sections,” Radio Pakistan Director General Tahir Hassan said.

“In today's attack, the protestors vandalised the building and tortured the staff, including women. They set fire to Chagai Yadgar and Radio Auditorium. Records and other materials, including parked vehicles, were destroyed in the arson," he added.

The four bodies and at least 27 injured were taken to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), while another seven injured were transferred to the Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH). Medics said that many injured had sustained bullet injuries.

In Punjab, where two people died in violence, police said that over 14 government buildings were attacked, looted, and seriously damaged by the protestors, while more than 25 vehicles were also destroyed or burned.

Officials said that more than 130 police officers were severely injured during the violent clashes. "Those who injure citizens, police officers and personnel, damage property will be brought to justice," Punjab police chief Usman Anwar warned.

According to the Islamabad police, Srinagar Highway had been shut for traffic with diversions placed on both sides.

In neighbouring Rawalpindi, protesters set metro bus stations on fire during clashes with the police.

Meanwhile, of the 1,500 held in a countrywide crackdown, at least 1,380 were arrested on charges of rioting in Punjab, 33 in K-P, and 44 in different parts of Balochistan.

Prominent among those who were arrested were PTI Secretary General Asad Umar, former Punjab governor Omer Sarfraz Cheema, PTI Sindh President Ali Zaidi, and senior party leader Fawad Chaudhry, according to the officials and PTI office-bearers.

Fawad was arrested from the Supreme Court, where he had gone to challenge the arrest of Imran. Fawad stayed inside the building for hours, knowing that the police had come to arrest him. He was taken into custody, when he came out at night.

Umar was arrested from the IHC premises – from where Imran was arrested on Tuesday.

Confirming the arrest, PTI leader Shireen Mazari said that Umar was "arrested by [the] anti-terror squad from IHC".

According to PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry, the former minister was arrested from the “small gate” of the court.

The lawyer stated that he did not know under which case the arrest was made.

Former Punjab governor Cheema was arrested during a raid at his house in Lahore by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE).

PTI leader Hammad Azhar confirmed in a tweet that Cheema was arrested in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The PTI said that in Karachi, its Sindh President Zaidi was taken into custody on Tuesday evening. Officials said raids were conducted to arrest PTI's Khurram Sher Zaman and other leaders, however they were not found at their residences.

In Quetta, where one protester was killed during clashes on Tuesday, police conducted raids at the houses of former Balochistan governor Syed Zahoor Agha and arrested his younger brother.

The police also conducted raid at the residence of former National Assembly deputy speaker Qasam Khan Suri but no arrest was made. PTI Balochistan President Munir Baloch said 11 PTI workers had been injured in the clashes.

There were also rumours about the arrest of senior party leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

However, the PTI vice chairman rejected such rumours, saying that all kinds of tactics were being used to create panic and spread misinformation.

Meanwhile, in response to the escalating protests in Sindh, the authorities banned the gathering of more than four individuals and all kinds of demonstrations, protests, and rallies.

According to a notification issued by the provincial government, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) had been invoked to maintain law and order and prevent further unrest.

 

Additional reporting by Sameer Mandhro.