Khawaja Asif terms May 9 protests an \u2018attack on integrity of Pakistan\u2019
\n ISLAMABAD
\nDefence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday told journalists in Sialkot that none of those accused of involvement in the May 9 riots will be deprived of their basic rights, stressing that \u201cno new military courts are being established\u201d to try their cases.
\nFollowing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan\u2019s arrest on May 9 in connection with a corruption case, the country saw violent protests targeting sensitive state and military installations.
\nThe government has since pursued an aggressive crackdown against the party leadership and others alleged of being involved in the vandalism and causing public unrest.
\nThe ruling coalition has also said that protestors will be tried under the Army Act at military courts.
\nWhile talking to media persons, Khawaja Asif said that \u201cno new military courts are being established. Law is present [for this purpose] already. Courts are present and they have been continuously working for the past 75 years.\u201d
\nHe maintained that the government will not target the innocent and that cases will only be pursued against those identified in video footage of the attacks on the sensitive installations.
\nTerming the May 9 protests as an attack on the \u201cintegrity and existence of Pakistan\u201d, the minister strongly condemned the acts of \u201cterrorism\u201d.
\nHe hailed the security forces of Pakistan, including police and rangers, for their \u201cunrelentless\u201d efforts in countering terrorism.
\nUrging the nation to stand in unity, he said that people were \u201cwell aware\u201d of the forces in play that were trying to polarise the masses and sowing seeds of bitterness.
\nHe also said that the attackers \u201ccan never be patriots\u201d, stressing that he saw \u201cno difference between Indian attacks\u201d and the \u201cviolent mob\u2019s attack\u201d on Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) and Mianwali Air Base.
\n\u201cOnly an enemy attacks military installations like airbases and GHQ,\u201d he said adding that these had been \u201camong India\u2019s targets\u201d.
\nHe regretted that the angered protestors targeted monuments of the country\u2019s martyrs and war heroes.
\n\u201cOne man gave a clear message that if I don\u2019t have the power, I will attack where the enemy does. [And then] the military installations including martyrs\u2019 memorials were insulted,\u201d he regretted while stressing that \u201cprotection of Pakistan is our red line.\u201d
\n\u201cThere will be no compromise on the integrity of Pakistan,\u201d he said.
\nEarlier, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir had said that the legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution of Pakistan.
\n\u201cThe army draws its strength from people and any effort to create a wedge between the army and the people of Pakistan is an act against the state which is neither tolerable nor condonable under any circumstances,\u201d the army chief said while addressing the garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters during his visit to Lahore on Saturday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Khawaja Asif terms May 9 protests an \u2018attack on integrity of Pakistan\u2019 ISLAMABAD Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday told journalists in Sialkot that none of those accused of involvement in the May 9 riots will be deprived of their basic rights, stressing that \u201cno new military courts are being established\u201d to try their cases. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-332620","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n