Let Rangers launch Karachi-like operation in Punjab: Elahi

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Q Senior Central Leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has said that if the rulers do not have intention to defame Rangers by failing the proposed operation in Punjab then Rangers be given full powers to start operation.

Addressing a press conference at his residence on Monday, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said Rangers should be allowed to start Karachi-like operation forthwith, simultaneously and without any discrimination, facilitators arrests be started from a minister. He welcomed Army Chief’s decision to hold PSL Final in Lahore and said for its implementation immediate across the board action was essential.

All opposition parties, including PML-Q, have been demanding indiscriminate operation in Punjab, he said, adding till then there will be no peace not only in Punjab but all over Pakistan.

He said the rulers were still trying to launch operation in four or five districts only but this, in fact, would be a conspiracy to defame Rangers, because in this way terrorists would move to other districts and the operation would fail.

He said during last four years due to his adamant attitude Shahbaz Sharif neither launched operation himself nor let the Rangers do that because of which terrorism incidents took place all over Pakistan, including Punjab and thousands of innocent persons died and injured.

He said during first two months of the current year, 150 persons became victims of terrorism incidents whereas in 625 incidents which occurred in 2015, 1,080 people were martyred and 1,500 injured and in 2016, about 900 deaths occurred, 1,418 injured in 441 incidents.

If timely operation was launched in Punjab then Chottu-like gangs would not have been born against whom the army carried out successful operation and the chief minister gave away rewards to his favourite police officials, he alleged.

Ch Pervaiz Elahi said if the government was sincere in launching operation then all facilitators, including a provincial minister, should also be arrested only then people would believe that operation was rightly being carried out.

Replying to a question about PSL Final, He said despite 9/11, number of foreign cricket teams, including India, undertook successful tours during PML-Q tenure. Had attackers of Sri Lankan team been arrested and sentenced forthwith our reputation would not have been spoiled like this, he said.

He alleged that Shahbaz Sharif was not concerned about the country, nation and people, he only took interest in dollars making projects. Replying to another question, he said that establishing of the military courts was being delayed because of the rulers' intention but hopefully this matter would be settled soon.