NSC stresses dialogue to resolve differences

Civil, military leadership endorse military brass’s decision to try rioters under Army Act

ISLAMABAD:

The civil and military leadership of the country, in a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Tuesday, stressed the need for a political dialogue over confrontation to resolve differences.

The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by senior cabinet ministers, services chiefs, DG ISI and other relevant officials, promised to bring those behind the violent protests last week to justice.

The meeting was convened to discuss violent protests triggered after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9. The protesters ransacked and vandalised military installations, including the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore.

On Monday, Army Chief Gen Asim Munir chaired a corps commanders conference, which decided that perpetrators, planners and executors of such attacks would be tried under the Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and the Official Secret Act.

The participants of the NSC meeting endorsed the decision of the corps commanders conference, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after the NSC meeting.

“The meeting endorsed the decision to initiate trials against the perpetrators, conspirators, and facilitators under relevant laws including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, to ensure justice,” the statement read.

The meeting declared May 9 as a black day at the national level and expressed full solidarity and support with the armed forces of Pakistan. The participants of the meeting also paid rich tributes to the martyrs and their families.

The participants condemned in the strongest terms the arson, encirclement and attacks on military installations for personal interests and political gains. They reiterated that the policy of 'zero tolerance' would be adopted against violence and mischief in the country.

The participants reiterated their commitment that any violation of the sanctity and dignity of military installations and public property would not be tolerated. “All elements involved in the Black Day of May 9 will be brought to justice,” said the statement.

The forum made it clear that no concessions would be given to those who attacked military installations and locations under any agenda.

The meeting directed to ensure strict implementation of the rules and regulations of social media so that the propaganda carried out with external patronage and internal facilitation could be tackled and the elements who committed it were brought to justice.

The civil and military leadership emphasised that forging national unity in an increasingly complex geo-strategic environment due to global political conflict and destabilisation policies of hostile powers.

The forum stressed the need for resolving political differences through dialogue in accordance with democratic values rather than confrontation.