LAHORE:Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir visited Lahore, ISPR said on Saturday. COAS laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Monument and paid tribute to the brave sons of the soil who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. He was given a briefing on events of May 9 (Black Day). He also visited Jinnah House and an army installation attacked and vandalized by politically-motivated rioters. Addressing the Garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters, the COAS said: “Legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in the May 9 tragedy has commenced under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution of Pakistan.”

The army chief emphasized, “Army draws its strength from people and any effort to create a wedge between the Army and the people of Pakistan is an act against the state which is neither tolerable nor condonable under any circumstances. “Hostile and inimical forces and their abettors have been trying hard to create confusion through fake news and propaganda but all such designs of the enemy will be defeated with the support of the nation. InshaAllah!”

Later, the COAS visited the Services Hospital of Lahore and enquired after DIG Ali Nasir Rizvi who sustained injuries in the May 9 incident. The COAS also visited Qurban Lines and met police officials. He paid homage to police martyrs and appreciated the professionalism and restraint exercised by them during the riots/vandalism. He assured the LEAs of all-out support for their capacity building, intelligence sharing and training. Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by the Lahore Corps Commander.