Punjab hands evidence of ‘PTI’s terrorism’ to ECP

LAHORE:

The caretaker Punjab government on Thursday handed “proofs” of involvement of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in “terrorist attacks” on sensitive military installations last week to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

According to an official handout, the interim government arranged a briefing for the Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and the ECP members at the Chief Minister House regarding the violence in the province on May 9.

“The chief election commissioner and the ECP members were presented solid proofs about the involvement of a political party in the 9th May terrorist incidents,” the handout issued by the provincial government after the meeting said.

“The chief election commissioner and the ECP members were presented proofs of pictures, videos, and messaging,” it said. “Proofs of contacts between the attackers and the present political leadership in Zaman Park surfaced through geo-fencing,” it added.

Violence had erupted in several parts of the country after the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in a corruption case. Several public and private properties, including sensitive government installations, were specifically targeted and vandalised.

Rioters torched the historical Jinnah House, which was being used as the residence of the Lahore corps commander, and attacked the army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. The iconic Radio Pakistan building was also torched in Peshawar.

Addressing the meeting, caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi said that “a political party” put the whole Pakistani nation to shame on May 9. “An obnoxious game was played under the guise of politics,” the chief minister told the meeting.

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Stating that the attacks on the military installations were carried out under a “planned strategy”, the chief minister said that initial estimates suggested that losses to the tune of Rs6 billion were incurred.

The Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) briefed the participants about the attack on the Jinnah House and other military installations, while the additional interior chief secretary gave a briefing on the damages caused by the terrorist attacks.

The officials informed the CEC and the ECP members that a total of 256 violent incidents took place over a three-day period from May 9. They added that the military installations and locations were specifically targeted.

The official said that at least five people were killed in the violent incidents, while 127 police officers and 15 civilians were injured. A total of 108 vehicles and 23 buildings of police and other institutions were damaged.

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On the occasion, CEC Raja acknowledged that the Punjab government took bold and excellent steps for the protection of masses in the wake of present situation, the Punjab government handout said.

“The aim of Election Commission is to ensure holding fair, just, and peaceful general elections,” the CEC said. “We are fully satisfied with the team of Punjab government as they are performing their duties with honesty,” he added.

“We are not affiliated with any political party nor [do] we have any political motives. We have always made decisions on merit. The caretaker government is also impartial and holding free and fair election is also its mandate,” he said.

“The Election Commission will provide all possible assistance to the Punjab government to hold free and fair elections. The Punjab government does not need to come under any duress, we are fully supporting them,” he said.

In the meeting, security arrangements for holding the upcoming general elections in Punjab were reviewed. It was agreed that security arrangements would be reviewed again in the wake of present situation.

The participants strongly condemned the terrorist incidents of May 9, expressing complete solidarity with Pakistan Army, the handout said.

The meeting was also attended by ECP members Nisar Ahmad Durrani of Sindh, Shah Muhammad Jatoi of Balochistan, Justice (retd) Ikramullah Khan of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Babar Hasan Bharwana of Punjab.

ECP Secretary Umar Hameed Khan, Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal Hussain, Punjab Election Commissioner Saeed Gul, additional IG, law secretary, secretary prosecution and Lahore capital city police officer were also present.