Prime Minister directed the Punjab government to investigate the arrests of the PTI workers and if the highhandedness of public officials is proved, legal action should be taken against them. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appealed for restraint on Sunday as he sought to soothe frayed tempers following the previous day’s showdown between police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protesters in Lahore. He also sent out a conciliatory message to members of his rival party, offering to punish any public official who had used brute force to quell the protests.
Over 70 PTI leaders and workers, protesting against alleged rigging in the August 22 by-elections, were baton-charged and arrested by the Punjab police on Saturday. However, they were released hours later on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
On Sunday, the prime minister directed the Punjab government to investigate the arrests of the PTI workers and if the highhandedness of public officials is proved, legal action should be taken against them.
During a telephonic conversation with his brother, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the premier said, “Holding peaceful protests is the right of all Pakistanis and political parties,” adding that democracy and peaceful protests were ‘interlinked’. No authority impeded the right of citizens to protest, he said.
Directing the Punjab government to ensure no violation took place in this regard, he said all issues should be resolved through dialogue.
He said that the PML-N government has offered the choice of having a dialogue with extremist elements as well, because he believes that this is the only way towards progress and prosperity. The government will not only ensure the freedom and protection of people to exercise their democratic rights, but also remove hurdles in this regard.
Therefore, the arrests of political workers in a peaceful city such as Lahore was an unpleasant incident and the protesters should also use their democratic right, but without interrupting the daily life of people and businessmen and should not take the law in their hands.
According to News Network International (NNI), the chief minister of Punjab informed the prime minister that Section 114 was imposed on The Mall Road on the orders of the Lahore High Court, but nonetheless, he directed the police to release the protesters who had violated the law.
Upon their release, most of the protesters – demonstrating against alleged rigging particularly in the PP-150 constituency, returned to The Mall Road and blocked all traffic. PTI claims that their candidate Mehar Wajid won the PP-150 by-elections by a margin of 2,000 votes.
Other issues addressed
The prime minister also discussed the law and order and the flood situation in Punjab. He said the country needs to act as one to cope with and resolve the challenges and crises it faces.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2013.
COMMENTS (16)
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@Aysha M: As they say, fool me once... You are ready to be fooled for a third time. One can only imagine the shame.
There more no more than few hundred protesters in Lahore. That tells the whole story that public has not bought into the rigging allegations leveled by PTI. Imran Khan and his supporters claim to be the only educated lot in Pakistan. They should accept the order of Lahore High Court to not hold any processions and rallies on Mall Road. PTI can protest on any other place with full freedom.
@Aysha M: Once a fool... don;t hold your breath.
Court ordered in their last term that there should be local body election but instead of obeying the order they presented excuses, court fixed the sugar price but they failed to implement court order. But this time they sprinted as this was a court order against their enemy.
The PM was 'offering to punish any public official who had used brute force to quell the protests.' Is law enforcement up to Mr Sharrif or should it go on regardless of him or anyone else in government? Why does the PM have to 'offer' to punish anyone who breaks the law? The PM nor the CM should have to make such offers, nor should they be able to allow people who break the law to leave without due process of justice.
@numbersnumbers:
I am an Ahmadi, and we never came on roads not even on the mass killings in two Lahore mosques, not becuase we feared any baton, but because we refer our affairs to Almighty !
Even if protests are allowed legally, Ahmadies won't !
IK has fallen from grace. Feel sorry for him now, he was never meant for politics, he doesnt have it in him. PTI typifies the confusion their leader suffers from, he couldn’t even capitalize on the media hype provided to PTI. Very unfortunate
PM, great stance. I think you are finally satisfied with the wealth you have amassed over the years and now serious about Pakistan, I will let myself be fooled by this thought
So PTI won in Islamabad and the elections are free and fair and also in South Punjab where they used Baloch tribes and so called Seraikis and use them in an Ethnic manner against Punjabis by Portraying PMLN as a Punjabi party and won two seats in Rajanpur and DG Khan but it is alright for them then? PTI is the worst edition in the politics of Punjab and it is replacing PPP in all aspects.
@numbersnumbers:
Comparing constitutional religious controversies with political conflicts is a total mis-match.
I think the Ahmadi scenario needs a different and more planned approach rather than people like you using in-appropriate channels and in-effective methods to promote awareness.
Great News from the PM! Now Ahmadis can peacefully demonstrate in Lahore, protesting their persecution by all, without fear of the police beating them up and throwing them in jail!!! NOT!
Nothing but good cop bad cop. Bet he ordered it all in the first place.
We know the game: Good Cop, Bad Cop!
Why doesn't Nawaz Sharif suspend S.S? He suspends police officers all the time. Stop making a joke out of democracy.
Although I support PTI on this one, PM Nawaz has done the right move. At times he does show clemency.
Get a life PTI