Operation to remove encroachments from Zaman Park undertaken
Pakistan
Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had ordered the removal of encroachments
LAHORE (Dunya News) - Operation to remove encroachments from Zaman Park, the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, was completed in the early hours of Saturday.
Heavy machinery, officials and staff of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) took part in the operation. Containers were loaded on trucks with the help of cranes.
Punjab caretaker Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi had ordered the removal of encroachments from Zaman Park. Sources said the operation to remove encroachments was carried out on the request of Zaman Park administration.
On the other hand, Punjab interim information minister Amir Mir said on Friday a deadlock prevailed between the provincial government and former PM Imran Khan over discussing the modalities of the search operation to find “up to 40 terrorists" allegedly hiding inside the latter's Zaman Park residence.
Speaking to a private TV channel, he said the Punjab government team that visited Mr Khan's residence showed him the list of “wanted terrorists” and the nature of their crimes, adding that the PTI chief agreed that these people belonged to the PTI. “Mr Khan said he was in contact with them earlier but now they have gone underground,” he added.
“Former premier said he could neither produce them nor could he compel them to surrender,” he added.
As for the conditions set by the PTI, he said Mr Khan told the Punjab government that he had invited media to search his residence on Thursday, adding that the administration team found his claims “false” after contacting the media persons. “Media persons were made to stay from 12pm to 9pm at his house lawn probably to save Mr Khan from arrest,” he added.
Mr Khan did not let any journalist inside his residence, he claimed. He said the former premier maintained that he could not allow such a huge contingent of police to conduct the operation. “We are trying to keep this process as peaceful as we can,” he added.
Some people who tried to flee the Zaman Park were detained a day ago, he claimed. “We detected them through geo-fencing and they gave us further information during investigation,” he added.
As for Mr Khan’s involvement in ordering the attacks on military installations, he said the PTI senior leaders detained under 3 MPO named Mr Khan for orchestrating these acts. “Targets were set days before Mr Khan was taken into custody,” he added.
He said the government was not considering any option to use force to conduct search operation, he said.
