Khawaja Asif: Govt considering ban on PTI for May 9 vandalism

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said the PDM government is considering a ban on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for May 9 vandalism.

Talking to media persons here on Wednesday, Asif said a decision has not been taken yet. But the government is reviewing the situation.

He hinted that the ban on the PTI would be discussed in parliament.

The minister called the May 9 incidents the gravest in the history of the country as the PTI men targeted military installations.

Never in the past, had protesters attacked the military sites, he added.

The minister said the PTI challenged the foundation of the state on May 9. They attacked the ISI offices and the GHQ, they tried to enter the Cantonment in Sialkot but that attack was repulsed. They set fire to the Lahore Corps Commander’s house.

Asif said “we all believe that only India can do such things [like attacking military installations] but not any Pakistani.”

The coalition government would take every step to prevent others from targeting the army in the future, he maintained.

He said Imran has not yet openly condemned the violence. He [Imran] claimed that he was unaware of attacks because he was in custody of police. What Imran has said was that the reaction was expected and could happen if he was arrested again.

May 25 would be celebrated and tribute would be paid to the country’s martyrs, Asif said and added that honouring martyrs was the norm in the world.

The defence minister said that the vandalism of military installations across the country was “coordinated attacks” planned by PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

He claimed that the PTI had been planning attacks on the military installations for the past one year or so.

“There are evidences and their people are saying that they were briefed about this beforehand,” he added.

“I feel that his [Imran’s] struggle of a year, all his plans failed and this was his last move against the armed forces,” he continued.

He said Imran sees the army as his adversary. His did all his politics in the lap of army and today he considers the army as antagonist and decided to stand against it.

He claimed that what he said today was stated by the people leaving the PTI. They [PTI members] even claimed that every move was made according to a plan. And they were facilitated, Asif maintained.

He criticised the PTI for tendering resignations. “First they resign and then say that their resignations should not be accepted.”

He said it seemed that Imran has lost his mental balance. His aides are deserting him due to his mistakes, Asif concluded.