In a significant development, Khadija Shah, the granddaughter of Pakistan’s former Army Chief Asif Nawaz Jangua, has been apprehended by the police as a “key instigator” in the attack on the Corps Commander House in Lahore. The assault took place following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9. Shah, a renowned fashion designer, is among several women who have been detained for their alleged involvement in the series of attacks on military installations that ensued after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief’s detention on corruption charges. It should be noted that Khan, aged 70, was subsequently released on bail.
Law enforcement officials in Lahore released a statement today, confirming Shah’s arrest and labelling her as one of the main agitators behind the May 9 attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House, also known as Jinnah House. She has been charged with terrorism-related offences and may face trial under the Army Act, according to police sources. Shah, a vocal supporter of the PTI, had been in hiding ever since authorities initiated raids to apprehend her.
“Ms. Shah was brought before the anti-terrorism court in Lahore, where she was sent to jail for an identification parade,” stated the police. The government has declared that the identification process of over 500 women, who are wanted in connection with the May 9 incidents, has been concluded, resulting in the registration of 138 cases against them.
Nationwide, law enforcement agencies have arrested approximately 8,000 individuals, primarily PTI party leaders and workers, for their alleged involvement in the violent acts that unfolded following Khan’s arrest by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad.
The PTI party workers engaged in widespread vandalism, targeting a dozen military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s house, the Mianwali airbase, and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Notably, this marked the first time that the mob attacked the Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
In a separate development, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has placed the names of 700 PTI leaders and activists on a no-fly list, restricting their air travel. The move aims to prevent any potential escape or evasion by individuals under investigation.
As investigations continue, the authorities are determined to bring all perpetrators to justice and maintain the rule of law in the country. The situation remains tense, with heightened security measures being implemented to prevent any further disruptions or acts of violence.
