ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir revealed on Saturday the legal process against people involved in violent protests following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest on corruption charges earlier this month had been initiated under the Army Act and Official Secrets Act.

The army chief shared the information during his visit to Lahore where he went to Jinnah House, the official residence of the top army general in the city, and laid a floral wreath on Martyrs’ Monument.

Thousands of people targeted government buildings, including military installations, and set them on fire after Khan was arrested on May 9. Many of them defaced martyrs’ monuments in different cities, as they blamed the army for Khan’s arrest and demanded his release.

“While addressing the Garrison officers and soldiers at Corps Headquarters, [the army chief] said that legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in 9 May tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act as per existing and established legal procedures derived from the Constitution of Pakistan,” the army’s media wing, ISPR, said in an official statement.

“Army draws its strength from people and any effort to create wedge between the Army and the people of Pakistan is an act against the State which is neither tolerable nor condonable under any circumstances,” the statement quoted General Munir as saying.

“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,” he added.

The army chief also visited police officials who got injured during clashes with the protesters on May 9.

He appreciated their professionalism and assured them of army’s full support with respect to their training and intelligence sharing.

Khan and his party have tried to distance themselves from the violent incidents of May 9 and condemned vandalism in their recent statements.

However, the government and the country’s powerful army believe the violent protests were “planned and organized,” as they prepare to put suspects on trial in military courts.