'Disgrace to country': Imran condemns attack on Jinnah House

PTI chief says ruling coalition has trapped 'itself' by arresting 7,000 people

LAHORE:

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday condemned the attack on Jinnah House, which occurred following his arrest on May 9, and said that it brought ‘disgrace’ to the country.

Talking to media personnel during his appearance at an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the provincial capital, the former premier said that the event should “not have happened” and condemned it as he had “earlier as well”.

After Imran’s arrest, angered rioters torched the historical Jinnah House, which was being used as the residence of the Lahore corps commander.

In his conversation with reporters today, Imran maintained that “every Pakistani” was condemning the attack.

Read Police claims arrest of six 'terrorists' involved in May 9 violence

Talking about the Punjab caretaker information minister's claim that Imran was hiding terrorists responsible for the May 9 riots inside his Lahore residence, the PTI chairperson said that he had “opened his house” for the media to see and emphasised that there was no truth in the claims.

According to Imran, the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)'s actions and human rights violations have brought the country to disrepute and Pakistan cannot function on “fear”. He said that the PDM has trapped itself by arresting "7,000" people.

He maintained that one-sided negotiations cannot take place with the incumbent government and claimed that his party had been talking about negotiations for the past 11 months.

Speaking about the PTI, the party chairman said, “A party with so much vote bank cannot be defeated. It does not matter who comes and goes.”

Read More Punjab govt's negotiation team to head to Zaman Park after 2pm

Commenting on the current arrests of PTI workers and supporters, Imran said that such things did not happen during the regime of military dictator (late) General Pervez Musharraf.

He claimed that “such a big crack down” against a political party had never occurred before and added that the PTI’s opposition wanted to "crush" the party completely.

Referring to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, Imran said "he who is calling himself Imam Khomeini, the biggest fugitive and dacoit of Pakistan will come back and contest the elections."

Replying to a journalist's question regarding his announcement of holding public processions, Imran said that elections were within a year and questioned what country did not hold rallies prior to the polls.

The deposed premier was in the ATC to seek pre-arrest bail in three cases registered against him. Imran was booked under the charges of ransacking, setting fire to Jinnah House and law and order disruption following his arrest on May 9.