No Pakistani can burn Jinnah House: Shehbaz Sharif

PM dubs rioters protesting controversial arrest of their leader as ‘terrorists’

QUETTA:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claimed on Monday that even thinking of burning Jinnah House or attacking the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) was beyond any Pakistani citizen.

In a sweeping statement made at the inaugural ceremony of the 34th National Games in Quetta, the prime minister declared all protestors and rioters of May 9 as “terrorists” and “Pakistan’s enemies”.

Shehbaz maintained that the events following deposed prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest were “heartbreaking” and those that resorted to rioting at Jinnah House, Radio Pakistan and GHQ must be punished severely. “[State’s] enemies could not do in 75 years what protestors did on May 9.”

Measures must be taken, within the confines of the law and Constitution, such that no such incident ever takes place till the day of judgment, said Shehbaz. “Such heinous acts and [any] insult to martyrs will always be condemned. May 9 will always be remembered as a black day in the country’s history.”

He vowed that those who targeted these buildings will be strictly punished under the law. “Such destructive thinking could only belong to enemies of the country.”

PM Shehbaz lamented the decades of terrorism that the country has witnessed and lauded the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their efforts toward eliminating the same.

The premier referred to the past attacks on GHQ and the Army Public School - the perpetrators of which have yet to be brought to justice, with parents of slain children circling courts till date - and stated that the nation salutes those who faced terrorism and gave sacrifices.

They foiled nefarious designs of enemies who wanted the destruction of the country, he said, adding that people from all segments of society had given sacrifices in the battle against terrorism.

Addressing the ceremony, the PM assured that the federal government is committed to providing all possible resources for the promotion of sports in the country.

He said that the nation was proud of its players and athletes, who had not only earned fame in the country but also brought awards from abroad.

Shehbaz added that the national games were being held in the province after a lapse of 19 years.

Holding the national games in this historic city is reflective of the national unity, strength and patriotism for the motherland, he said.

The prime minister observed that the young people of Pakistan possess incredible potential, which can be utilized in different categories of games, so that they may bring pride to the country.

Assuring of the government’s complete support, he added that in the past, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) had distributed laptops, established Danish schools and promoted games, besides awarding high achievers.

A nation progresses if its youth is healthy and educated, he said, adding that with the support of the nation the PML-N will rebuild Pakistan in all sectors and fields.

He also congratulated the governor, the chief minister and the management committee for making excellent arrangements to host the national games.