Punjab govt to constitute JIT to probe vandalism incidents post Imran's arrest

Naqvi says all cases against 'miscreants' will be tried in anti-terrorism court

LAHORE:

The Punjab government on Saturday decided to constitute a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe riots and vandalism incidents that took place in the province following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.

Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi attended a meeting at the head office of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority to review the law and order situation in the province.

It was decided in the meeting to form a JIT to investigate the tragic incidents of rioting, the burning of Jinnah House, and vandalism of military and civil facilities.

The JIT will investigate the recent incidents of rioting and submit a comprehensive report to the government.

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Naqvi also ordered to speed up operations to bring all the “miscreants” under the law and ordered to conduct geo-fencing of areas where the riots took place.

“All the cases against miscreants will be tried in the anti-terrorism court,” Naqvi stated.

He further directed the public prosecution department to ensure speedy trial of all cases, adding that “no guilty person will be spared and no innocent person will be arrested”.

“Every miscreant will be brought to justice with evidence. Those who attacked Jinnah House, military, civil and private property will not be spared from severe punishment,” the chief executive of the province added.

The caretaker chief minister added that all educational institutions will resume teaching from May 15, adding that the situation is improving.

“We will ensure the safety of people's lives and property. The concerned agencies should continue to coordinate to maintain the law and order situation,” he said.

Naqvi also stated that the entire force is on alert to thwart the 'nefarious intentions of the miscreants'.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Dr Usman Anwar briefed the meeting regarding the law and order situation in the province and the actions taken against the rioters.

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Provincial Information Minister Aamir Mir, chief secretary, inspector general of police, additional chief secretary, additional chief secretary interior, additional IG special branch, CCPO Lahore, additional IGC CTD, secretary law, secretary public prosecution, MD Punjab safe cities authority, commissioner Lahore division, deputy commissioner and related officials were also present in the meeting.

Moreover, all divisional commissioners and RPOs participated in the meeting through a video link.

Imran’s arrest from inside the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on May 9 triggered protests in many cities of the country by party activists and supporters as they clashed with the police.

In an unprecedented show of vandalism, PTI supporters had attacked and caused damage to the historic Corps' Commander’s House — originally known as Jinnah House and which once served as the residence of the founding father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah — hours after the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested the ousted prime minister in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.

An FIR was later registered against leaders and activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for attacking the historic building.