No leniency for those who broke law during TLP protests: Afridi

Minister of State for Interior says not even lawmakers will be spared if they took law into their own hands

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi made it clear on Thursday the government will not show any leniency to those who broke the law.

Afridi was referring to three-day protests that ensued following the Supreme Court's verdict on Aasia Bibi's acquittal.

"National security is of paramount importance," the minister told senators. "No compromise will be made in the matter of those who took law into their own hands."

Afridi went on to add that action will be taken against those who challenged government's writ, even if they are found to be part of the Parliament.



The minister further said that footage of protesters, who resorted to vandalism and arson, has been sought from the authorities. Some arrests have been made, while more will be materialised in the days to come.

Afridi lauded the government's efforts for ending the three-day long nationwide protests without bloodshed. He reiterated that all political parties were on the same page during the protests.

"We didn't focus on policy-making in the past, which is why it resulted in such circumstances," he told the Senate session.