Imran Khan Arrest: Pakistan PM Warns Protestors, Calls Attack On Public Property 'An Act Of Terrorism'

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif's address to the nation came after the country was rocked by deadly violence following Imran Khan's arrest in a corruption case.

New Delhi: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday made the first public remarks since former premier Imran Khan's arrest and condemned the deadly protests. In his brief video address, which came after the country was rocked by deadly violence and saw attacks on military installations and state properties, Sharif warned to deal with demonstrators with an 'iron fist'.

"Attack on public property is an act of terrorism and enmity towards the country," Shehbaz Sharif said, and added that those taking the law into their own hands would be given an 'exemplary punishment'. He also accused Imran Khan and his party -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) -- of causing severe damage to sensitive installations in the country.

"Such a scene had never been witnessed in 75 years. Many lives were endangered. Even ambulances were set on fire. Swat motorway was set on fire. Like the enemy, installations of armed forces were attacked," he added.

He also said that the protection of the State and ideology of Pakistan is more precious to us than our lives.

'We will not allow anyone to conspire against it," the Pakistan PM said and vowed to defeat the 'nefarious designs' of enemies.

Shehbaz Sharif alleged that families and relatives of political opponents were not spared when Imran Khan was ruling the country and stated that the ministers of the cricketer-turned-politician used to air details of cases against political opponents and the former premier used to predict arrests.

"Not only political opponents but family and relatives were not forgiven too," he said, adding that the political history of the country had been 'very bitter'.

Shehbaz also said that never in history the revengeful acts in politics rendered good results.

Talking about the arrest of Khan, Shehbaz said that 'all evidence' in the Al-Qadir Trust case against the PTI chairman was available and that the cabinet was kept in the dark.

Violent clashes between Imran Khan's supporters and security forces have left at least seven people dead and nearly 300 injured across Pakistan as the army was deployed in the country's capital Islamabad, as well as in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces on Wednesday to maintain law and order.

Khan was taken into custody by the paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from the premises of the Islamabad High Court where he came to attend a corruption case hearing. It is alleged that the former Pakistan premier and his wife received land as a bribe through a charitable trust named Al-Qadir Trust. Khan and his aides, however, have denied any wrongdoing.

(With inputs from agencies)