Punjab forms JIT to probe vandalism, arson at Jinnah House

SSP Investigation Iqbal Town Aqeela Niaz Naqvi has been appointed convener of the JIT

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Punjab Home Department has formed a joint investigation team (JIT) to probe vandalism and arson at the Jinnah House during the protests staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

SSP Investigation Iqbal Town Aqeela Niaz Naqvi has been appointed convener of the JIT, which also include four officers of the Punjab Police as members.

On May 9, violent protests erupted after Mr Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case.

His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander's House and the Mianwali airbase in response to the arrest of the PTI chief.

The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also stormed by the mob for the first time, an action that was widely condemned by the civil and military leadership of the country.

Thousands of PTI supporters were arrested following the violence that the Pakistan Army and ruling coalition described as a “dark day” in the history of the country.

Earlier this week, a military court commenced the trial of the hooligans involved in the attack on the residence of the corps commander that took place on May 9. 

 

The Lahore anti-terrorism court (ATC) directed the surrender of 16 individuals involved in the violent incident to the military. Subsequently, the attackers of Jinnah House, the official residence of the corps commander, were presented before a military court. 

The commanding officer sought the detention of the 16 suspects under military law. The ATC approved the request and ordered the perpetrators to be handed over to the military. The defendants, including former provincial assembly member Mian Akram Usman, are expected to face trial under the Army Act of 1952.

Read More: May 9 rioters to be tried under military laws, PM Shehbaz vows

As per the court's decision, the prosecution did not oppose the commander's plea, leading the court to direct the superintendent of the Camp Jail to transfer the 16 inmates to the commander for further proceedings. 

Sources said the suspects were Ammar Zohaib, Ali Iftikhar, Ali Raza, Muhammad Arsalan, Muhammad Umair, Muhammad Rahim, Ziaul Rehman, Waqas Ali, Rais Ahmed, Faisal Arshad, Muhammad Bilal, Fahim Haider, Arzam Junaid, Mian Akram Usman, Muhammad Hasher Khan and Hasan Shakir.

Earlier, the National Assembly on May 22 passed a resolution vowing to try rioters involved in the May 9 attacks on army and state installations under existing laws, including the Army Act and the Anti-Terrorism Act.