ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said there would be no relaxation for those who attacked military installations even if they had left PTI. Speaking to private TV channel he said if other party leaders distanced themselves from party and condemned May 9 attacks, they might be awarded relaxation. “Any person who was inside red line of Lahore’s Corps Commander House will not be exempt from punishment,” he added.

He said that there were two types of those involved including motivators and doers. “PTI Chief Imran Khan is among motivators,” he added. Upon being countered that Khan was not inside physical red line, he repeated Khan was an instigator. He said Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi had also been one of motivators. Upon Khan’s arrest before elections, Sana said he thought Khan could be arrested in Al-Qadir Trust corruption case and May 9 attacks cases. “He could be disqualified if he is convicted after arrest,” he added. On question of law enforcers to take preemptive measures before attacks, he said operation would have been successful if state had used full force. “There were chances of bloodshed in state’s retaliation but it might have given Khan an opportunity to use it as political stunt,” he added.

As for question of military trials, Sanaullah said trial would be conducted after thorough investigation into their role in attacks. “Some people have even stolen sensitive documents from Corps Commander’s House,” he added.

No decision had been taken for Dr Yasmin Rashid and Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed yet, he said. On putting Khan under military trial, he said military would take final decision on it, adding that he was main instigator. “Military’s team has been constituted to try him in seven cases,” he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 30 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.