THE Pakistan Army on Friday requested the Federal Government to initiate legal action against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan for defaming a senior Army personnel. Responding to Khan’s allegations on the involvement of a senior Army personnel in his assassination attempt, the Intelligence agency, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) said, “The baseless and irresponsible allegations by Chairman PTI against the institution and particularly a senior Army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for.” Khan had on Friday alleged that the bullets were fired at him at the behest of three people including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the country’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a top ISI General Major General Faisal. Refuting claims of Imran Khan, the statement of DG ISPR read, “Pakistan Army prides itself for being an extremely professional and well-disciplined organisation with a robust and highly effective internal accountability system applicable across the board for unlawful acts, if any, committed by uniformed personnel.”

 

The statement further said that the Government of Pakistan has been requested to investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever. “If the honour, safety and prestige of its rank and file is being tarnished by vested interests through frivolous allegations, the institution will jealousy safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what. The baseless allegations hurled at the institution/officials today are highly regrettable and strongly condemned,” added the statement. Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Umar has announced that the party will stage protest demonstrations across the country. ATTACKER IS A DRUG ADDICT, PROBE REVEALS: The police investigation into the attack on former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during his long march has revealed that suspect Naveed is a drug addict and his statements regarding the incident are “doubtful”. According to ‘Express News’, during the interrogation the accused admitted to opening fire on Khan’s container in Wazirabad on Thursday.

 

The suspect told the police that he bought 26 bullets along with a pistol through a man named Waqas from Wazirabad. The family members of the accused were also detained while the bullet shells had been recovered from the crime scene which will be sent for forensic examination, sources added. During interrogation with major investigation agencies including Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), the accused revealed that first he tried to attack the PTI chief from a roof of the mosque but he was not allowed to go there due to Asar prayer, ‘The Express Tribune’ reported.