Lahore: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi gave the police a “free hand” to impose the state’s writ. This decision came into after riots bt PTI workers in Zamanpark and other parts of the Lahore.
Last week, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters battled with police in Lahore. Also in Islamabad, as police tried to arrest party chairman Imran Khan at his residence and in court on Saturday.
In a press conference, CM Naqvi said he would no longer order law enforcement to hold back.
“We are also organising a JIT on instances that happened in the last five to seven days,” Naqvi said.
The interim CM stressed the need to build state and government authority. He claimed that Khan called law police back twice when they arrived at his home.
The caretaker CM requested them to return because he did not want “anything to happen” to damage the environment or kill people.
Attacks on Cops
After the police cleared Canal Road, PTI workers attacked a cop coming from duty. PTI workers also targeted an Elite Force car on the same night, Naqvi said.
“We told the policeman this morning that you can do what you want to establish government writ. The CM warned that cops would break hands if challenged.
He stated that the cops could not keep getting beaten just because he had instructed them to hold back.
“We must establish government writ at any costs. Supporting cops.
He said political parties did not commit “terrorism” like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
The caretaker CM announced a joint inquiry team and nighttime notification. He stated that the interim provincial government was writing to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to share facts about province occurrences.
He stated Imran Khan openly threatened officers.
“Cursing police won’t protect him. “They can have a public rally anywhere, but the law enforcement they have been vilifying will not defend them anymore,” declared the interim CM.
Former cricketer Imran Khan was prime minister from 2018 to 2022. Since then, he has held nationwide protests calling for a fast election.
Shehbaz Sharif, his successor as prime minister, rejected his request.
Khan, 70, faces multiple legal proceedings, including one that led to a failed arrest attempt on Tuesday when a court issued warrants for his arrest for not appearing before it.
Pakistan’s economic crisis has sparked new political turmoil as Khan’s followers clash with security forces.
