Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari on Sunday vowed zero tolerance for any attempts to violate law and order, alleging that recent attacks on foreign food chains were part of an organized plan against the country.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, she strongly condemned the attacks, emphasizing that people’s lives and properties were threatened. “There are 25,000 Pakistanis employed in these food chains,” she said. “The person who died in the attacks on the food chain was also a Pakistani,” she said, reiterating that these attacks are part of a conspiracy against “developing” Punjab.
Warning that no one is permitted to create any law and order situation, she affirmed that 149 suspects involved in such attacks were in police custody.
Bokhari’s remarks came a day after Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry condemned the string of attacks on fast-food outlets, warning the state would take strict action against those involved. The federal minister stressed that the state would not tolerate any attacks on those who bring investment into Pakistan. He said the arrested suspects had sought forgiveness and expressed regret over their actions.
Chaudhry also sought to negate the impression that the Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan had instigated the violence, maintaining all political parties had distanced themselves from the incidents.