Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday demanded the authorities to take immediate action against those who caused the recent unrest, vandalism and damage to public and private property in Islamabad.
He, however, stressed the importance of ensuring that no innocent or law-abiding citizen was detained during the crackdown on the troublemakers.
Prime Minister Shehbaz’s commitment comes almost two weeks after the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) called off its much-publicised protest in Islamabad following a crackdown by security forces on party workers.
Islamabad was brought to a standstill on November 25 and 26 when scores of PTI supporters flooded the federal capital, defying the ban imposed by the authorities.
The former ruling party has since claimed that at least 12 of its activists were killed and 1,000 others arrested. However, the government has categorically denied using live ammunition against the protesters and said that four law enforcement personnel, including three Rangers personnel and a policeman, were martyred during the protests.
The Imran Khan-led party has launched a campaign of civil disobedience in the form of a late-night crackdown against the PTI and the release of all “political prisoners” and the formation of a judicial commission to probe the events of May 9, 2023. Also announced. There was no meeting with the protesters on November 26.
Presiding over a review session on the law and order situation earlier today, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to maintain stability and law and order in the country.
“We will not allow anyone to jeopardize the rapid economic growth of the country through unrest,” he asserted.
The prime minister also directed the authorities to step up the process of identifying the rioters and gather strong evidence against them to help prosecute them.
“The task force formed to take action against such elements should be provided with all necessary resources,” he said.
The Prime Minister directed that the Federal Prosecution Service be placed under the Ministry of Law.
He also directed the authorities concerned to speed up the construction of Islamabad Jail and ensure immediate release of funds required for its completion.
During the meeting, he was informed that the scope of the Islamabad Safe City project is being expanded, the number of surveillance cameras is being increased. Officials further informed them that the building of Islamabad Jail is expected to be completed by March next year.
Minister of Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister of Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister of Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar, Minister of Information Ataullah Tarar, Adviser to Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Information Technology Shahza Fatima Khawaja, Coordinator of Information Technology and others participated. Prime Minister Rana Ehsan Afzal and other senior officials participated in the meeting.