Police take positions at Imran’s house as deadline expires

As the deadline for the handing over of 40 terrorists hiding in Zaman Park of Lahore expired on Thursday, Punjab police have blocked the roads adjoining Zaman Park and diverted the traffic on Canal Road to Mall Road, a clear sign of an operation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The operation has so far not started as Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Raza has called a meeting on the law and order situaton later today in which the possible operation will be taken up.

According to the Lahore traffic police, one side of the Mall Road underpass is also closed for traffic.

Thandi Road has also been closed with barriers, and a police force is also present on Mall Road.

Roads have been blocked by the police to prevent the possible escape of the accused from Zaman Park.

It is worth mentioning here that the Punjab government had given an ultimatum to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to hand over the 40 terrorists involved in the attack on Jinnah House within 24 hours.

The intelligence agencies confirmed that those terrorists had been hiding in Zaman Park, the residence of PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

“The law will come into action if the terrorists are not handed over. During the attack on Jinnah House, the miscreants were in touch with Zaman Park,” Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir said.

“The PTI is taking the form of non-state actors. Now there will be a zero-tolerance policy. Those who challenge the write of the state will have to run faster than Fawad Chaudhary,” he stated.

“Four policemen will not go for the arrest of 40 terrorists. At least 400 policemen will have to go for the arrest of 40 terrorists. Khan Sahib’s reply will be awaited,” he declared.

Also Read: Punjab caretaker govt rejects Imran Khan's claim 

Punjab minister bins PTI claim

Punjab Caretaker Information Miniter Aamir Mir has termed PTI chief Imran Khan’s allegation as non-sense and a white lie that 25 civilians were martyred and hundreds injured due to the police firing.

In a tweet uploaded on Thursday, the minister said that on May 9 the police were ordered not to fire on the protesters, there there was no question of anyone being injured or dead.

پنجاب کے وزیر اطلاعات عامر میر نے عمران خان کے اس الزام کو بے ہودہ اور سفید جھوٹ قرار دیا ہے کہ پولیس کی فائرنگ سے 25 شہری شہید اور سینکڑوں زخمی ہوئے. انہوں نے کہا کہ 9 مئی کو پولیس کو مظاہرین پر فائرنگ نہ کرنے کے احکامات تھے لہٰذا کسی کے زخمی یا مرنے کا سوال ہی پیدا نہیں ہوتا.

— Minister Information Punjab (@MinisterInfoPb) May 18, 2023

Reporters Dilawar Hussain, Ali Sahi and Farah Yamin