Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday gave the relevant authorities 72 hours to identify and arrest all those involved in rioting after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest this week sparked deadly violence.
The prime minister said the cases would be tried by anti-terrorism courts. "All available resources including technological aid and intelligence are being deployed to chase down these elements. Bringing these people to justice is a test case for the government," the prime minister said while chairing a meeting at the Punjab Safe City Authority Headquarters in Lahore.
The PTI chairman’s arrest in a land fraud case on Tuesday, which the Supreme Court ruled "invalid and unlawful" on Thursday, sparked violent protests by his supporters. They stormed military establishments, set ablaze a state broadcaster building, smashed buses, ransacked a top army official's house and attacked other assets, resulting in the army being deployed in multiple cities.
More than 2,800 arrests were made, while 152 police officers were injured, 74 police vehicles vandalised and set on fire, and 22 government buildings, including police stations and offices, were damaged, said the Punjab police. At least eight people were killed in the violence.
Following the prime minister's announcement, the Punjab caretaker government released pictures of unidentified protesters involved in an attack on a military official's residence on Wednesday.
The prime minister said that it was a “critical task that requires swift action to ensure the safety and security of our citizens”. “I am setting a target for all responsible culprits, planners, instigators, and attackers to be apprehended within the next 72 hours.
During the meeting, the prime minister said that the “law will take action against those who have made plans and attacked the police". “The law will take action against them so that an exemplary precedent is set, demonstrating that those who act against the cherished homeland and the institutions that constantly risk their lives to defeat enemies will face consequences,” he added.
The prime minister further said that any attempts to disrupt peace and stability of our nation was "absolutely unacceptable", adding that this is a critical moment that required our unwavering commitment. “We must act decisively and without delay. It is a matter of utmost urgency, and failure is not an option,” he maintained.
The premier added that the culprits will be apprehended and cases will be filed against them in Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) in accordance with the law and Constitution.
“I have requested an increase in the number of ATCs to ensure swift and efficient proceedings. We are determined to take all necessary measures, even if it means conducting proceedings at night, to ensure justice is served and the rule of law prevails.”
The prime minister stated that the ATCs should begin work immediately without any delay. “It is crucial to set an example that no terrorist or enemy will dare cast an ill eye upon Pakistan’s institutions until the day of judgement,” he said.
The prime minister added that he has also requested caretaker Punjab chief minister Mohsin Naqvi to ensure that those responsible for the unrest were arrested and brought to court.
On his Twitter handle, the prime minister said that he had given the law enforcement apparatus, a target of 72 hours to arrest all those involved in facilitating, abetting and perpetrating the disgraceful incidents of arson, ransacking, sabotage and damaging public and private properties.
He said all available resources including technological aid and intelligence were being deployed to chase down these elements.
“Bringing these people to justice is a test case for the government. Their cases will be tried by the anti-terrorism courts,” he further posted in his tweet.
Also, the prime minister said Imran Niazi was responsible for the barbaric act of torching of Corps Commander House in Lahore as he planned and instigated the act of arson.
Talking to media during his visit to Jinnah House, he said the planners, instigators and abettors behind this attack will not be given any relief.
He said Jinnah House was the home of Corps Commander Lahore which on May 9 was tragically and cruelly burnt.
The rioters attacked and set the house on fire, he said, adding the arsonists did not care that it was a historical building and the army officer and his family were living there.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif visits CMH Lahore and meets officers and soldiers injured on 9th May during the violent protests. Lahore, 13th of May, 2023.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.
He said those who perpetrated this act would be brought to justice and they would be dealt with the iron hand of constitution and law and would be given exemplary punishment according to law and the world would remember their fate for a long time to come.
Shehbaz said the barbaric act was committed against those sons of the soil who were eradicating terrorism for maintaining peace in Pakistan.
It was an act against those who sacrifice their lives to protect our borders and their wives become widows and their children become orphans, he added.
While during his visit to Combined Military Hospital and Services Hospital Lahore, he inquired after the well-being of the officers including DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi and jawans who were wounded while performing their duties during rioting.
Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi and senior army and civil officers accompanied the prime minister.
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