PM Shehbaz directs authorities to arrest vandals behind vandalism of Corps Commander House in Lahore within 72 hours

LAHORE, May 13 (SABAH): After seeing the condition of the Jinnah House, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to arrest the vandals behind the vandalism of the Corps Commander House in Lahore within 72 hours.

“All the criminals and attackers should be arrested in the next 72 hours. All those who incited, helped, contributed to the chaos should be arrested within 72 hours,” directed the PM. He added that such kind of terrorism is unacceptable.

The PM issued the directives while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore. Before arriving at the headquarters the PM Shehbaz Sharif had also visited the vandalised Jinnah House along with Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. 

PM Shehbaz Sharif shared that Jinnah House has been burnt down completely, adding that the whole nation is in grief with that happened. “Terrible events in the history of Pakistan took place on May 9. Corps Commander House is the historic Jinnah House and seeing it [in such a condition] is disheartening,” said the PM.

Attacking his predecessor Imran Khan, the PM said that the former prime minister and his “mob” are not less than anti-Pakistan elements.

“Those involved in terrorist activities should be convicted as per the law,” said the PM. He assured that the law will deal with the miscreants with an “iron hand”.

“What terrorist could not do in 75 years, the PTI miscreants were able to do it. Government property was damaged under a plan,” said the PM.

The premier also regretted that the martyr’s memorial was also damaged and called for the trial be held against the miscreants in anti-terrorism courts.

“If anti-terrorism courts have to be opened at night to punish the criminals, then they should be opened,” urged the PM and directed the police and the administration to immediately arrest the miscreants as the “whole situation is unacceptable”.

The premier in the meeting also directed Law Minister Senator Chaudhry Azam Nazir Tarar Advocate to increase the number of anti-terrorism courts.

“ATCs should immediately begin working on this matter, and there must be no delay whatsoever. It is crucial to set an example that no terrorist or enemy will dare cast an ill eye upon Pakistan’s institutions until the Day of Judgment.”

“Their future indeed appears bleak and uncertain. In light of this, I believe it is imperative to launch an immediate operation and utilise the available resources and capacity to address the situation effectively,” he said. “Is NADRA chairman present here? Why did we not invite him? Take complete details from him. “I am setting a target for all responsible culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers to be apprehended within the next 72 hours. This is a critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens.”

“I am deeply disturbed by this situation, and I would like to request the chief minister, who is not at fault for these past five years, to take immediate action” PM Shehbaz Sharif said. “I have been informed that a significant number of officers who were appointed based on 100 percent merit under my supervision and who met all the requirements have either resigned or left their positions” he said.

“This is a matter of great concern, and I urge the chief minister to investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that necessary steps are taken to address the issue promptly” he said.

“I have also requested Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi that any act of sabotage is unacceptable, and those responsible for genuine wrongdoing will be arrested and brought to court for justice to be served” he said.

“The Safe City system is truly a gift from God in addressing these matters. It is not only the most advanced and largest institution in Pakistan but also in South Asia. Under the leadership of Mian Nawaz Sharif, all ministers worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that everything is provided for its success” PM Shehbaz Sharif said.

“However, I was informed that in the past five years, a significant number of cameras, ranging from 40 to 60 percent, were found to be non-functional” he said. “It is incredibly disheartening that the Safe City system, designed to protect citizens, has suffered due to criminal negligence. There can be no greater crime than compromising the safety and security of our people through such negligence.”

“The culprits, regardless of their location within the country, will be apprehended and cases will be filed against them in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in accordance with the law and the Constitution” he said. “I have requested an increase in the number of ATCs to ensure swift and efficient proceedings. We are determined to take all necessary measures, even if it means conducting proceedings at night, to ensure justice is served and the rule of law prevails” PM Shehbaz Sharif said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the punishments prescribed by the law and the constitution will be given to those who have made plans, wielded iron batons, provided weapons, and attacked the police.

“The law will take action against them so that an exemplary precedent is set, demonstrating that those who act against the cherished homeland and the institutions that constantly risk their lives to defeat enemies will face consequences. Whether it is in the context of the 1965 war or terror incidents, Pakistan has seen the sacrifice of 80,000 lives,” he said.

Earlier, PM Shehbaz Sharif, along with Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi, visited the vandalised Lahore Corps Commander House where he extended solidarity with the country’s military leadership. He later also paid a visit to the Services Hospital to meet with the injured personnel. The CM and PM also met Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi at the Services Hospital, where he had his eye operated, which was hit by stone-pelting during angry PTI supporters’ protests.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of six soldiers of Pakistan Army and one civilian during an operation against terrorists at FC Compound in Muslim Bagh area of Balochistan.

In a statement, PM Shehbaz Sharif commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the higher ranks of martyrs.

Praying for the early recovery of the injured, the Prime Minister directed to provide them best possible medical treatment.

PM Shehbaz Sharif said the armed forces are determined to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism. He said the entire nation stands by the security forces.