Chaos gripped the country in the wake of the May 9 arrest of Pakistani Chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, as angry workers took to the streets and resorted to violent protests.
The economy took a hit in the three-day period — May 9 to May 12 — as not only were businesses forced to close in the protest areas, but the government shut down internet services to stop the spread of information by the party.
But when there are crowds in the streets despite law enforcement being present, things could go wrong at any moment. The protests left about 10 people dead and several injured.
However, this was not the only case.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said at a press conference on Saturday that PTI workers looted shops, cattle markets and gun stores during the protests.
“They also tried to rob banks,” the minister said.
Sanaullah said the protesters spared not even a needle and robbed clothes, a sheet and anything else they could get their hands on in the Lahore Corps Commander House (or Jinnah House).
“This is a worrying and saddening event for the country,” he said, criticizing PTI chairman Khan for “stealing” the nation’s money in the Al-Qadir case and inciting protests.
Videos circulating on social media also showed someone stealing a peacock during the protests.
Both the government and the military have deplored the incidents, with the latter calling PTI “hypocrites” for inciting their workers against the armed forces on the one hand and praising the military – in an attempt to overshadow their criticism – on the other side.
The Punjab government has announced that it will distribute Rs 200,000 to people who help authorities apprehend the suspects who vandalized the Lahore Corps Commander House.
The province’s interior ministry also shared the photos of the vandals and asked the public to help law enforcement track them down, noting that the identities of the informants would be kept confidential.
Khan has criticized the army in the past and after his arrest, his supporters increased the stakes by attacking military targets – burning down the corps commander’s residence in Lahore and the entrance to the army headquarters in Rawalpindi on to fall.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier today ordered the Punjab government to act quickly and arrest the vandals within 72 hours.
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