LAHORE:Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday held Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan responsible for the “barbaric act of torching of Corps Commander House in Lahore”, saying the latter planned and instigated the act of arson.

The prime minister issued these remarks during his visit to Jinnah House or Corps Commander House Lahore. Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Mohsin Naqvi and senior army and civil officers accompanied the prime minister.

Talking to journalists, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that the planners, instigators and abettors behind this attack will not be given any relief. “Jinnah House was the home of Corps Commander Lahore which on May 9 was tragically and cruelly burnt,” he noted.

The rioters attacked and set the house on fire, the premier said adding the arsonists did not care that it was a historical building and the army officer and his family were living there.

The building was inhabited by the son who was on duty to protect his motherland, he remarked. “This was a cruel and anti-state act which never happened before in the 75 years history of the country.”

The prime minister said he was saddened while talking about the incident and said nobody thought that such an incident could happen. The head of the nation was bowed with shame and it was grieving after this episode, he added.