Nawaz orders police to launch a fair and effective inquiry into the incident immediately. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday termed the lax role of authorities in last week's Rawalpindi riots as "unacceptable crimes", and directed police to launch a fair and robust investigation into the incident.
Nawaz, while chairing a high level meeting on the issue at the PM House in Islamabad on Wednesday, expressed grave displeasure over the criminal inaction and laxity of the police authorities.
"Law-enforcement authorities must not show any laxity in dealing with such incidents. Speech inciting hatred‚ stone pelting and firing are unacceptable crimes."
The Inspector General of Punjab Police Khan Baig gave the PM a detailed briefing over the Rawalpindi incident.
The premier was presented a report on the Rawalpindi incident, which stated that a total of 11 people had died in the incident and 56 injured. It also said that CCTV footage had helped the security forces capture nine suspected individuals.
Baig told the meeting that all deaths resulted due to fire arms and refuted claims from some quarters about missing persons in the tragic incident.
Nawaz said the reckless ineptitude of the authorities involved in the incident was absolutely unacceptable.
Taking strong exception over the role of police in the Rawalpindi incident, the Nawaz said the police should have taken pre-emptive action to avert the incident.
He directed that criminal silence on the part of administration and police on the propagation of sectarian hatred through loud speakers and wall chalking would not be tolerated. He further directed to take strict action against those, who have no regard for law and order.
The prime minister also took note of the role social media played in fanning the conflict, adding that it was saddening to see all the hate speech which was being propagated on social networks and other internet forums. He directed that a draft legislation of cyber law be prepared and moved for approval 'within days'.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Punjab, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Director General ISI, Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed and Secretary of Interior Ministry among other officials.
COMMENTS (24)
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wow back from foreign trips already? :)
@salman: I remember your comment "I wont read ET again"........ :)
So where is PM Nawaz headed next on his busy broom?
@Adnan Siddiqi: Biggest troll celebrating loss of internet freedom. We truly live in an enlightened country.
@Adnan Siddiqi: Why..whats going to happened? Is big sher going to take notice and issue another investigation? LOL. Chal hut!
The violent allies of PMLN get preferential treatment, as the criminal silence of government and state officials on the death of 60000 Pakistanis, the genocide of shias, the persecution of minorities, the live burning of Christians is acceptable to our Amir ul Momineen.
Shahbash senior sher! Way to go mian sahib. He has taken notice and ordered an investigation! (Does that make total of 4 or 5 investigations? I loose count) See how quickly things will move now. We are truly blessed to have such a proactive and wise leader!
PM sahib showing his presence in the country.
Get ready you PTI sponsored internet trolls....y'alls days are numbered now.
Mr. PM please act this time and stop the non stop routinely bloodshed.Pick up courage and nip this tamasha for ever.Common people are fed up of this nonsense.
What use is having "cyber law'" in confronting hate speech, when there is no "mosque and loudspeaker law" ? Is it okay to preach hate from pulpit? Or this sissy PM is too afraid? Or too keen to ban facebook?
O hallo! Finally! Well where've you been sir, Mr PM, it's good to see that even you wake up sometimes ? Sir, you've been equally silent, as a matter of fact, you decided to stay away, far, far away when we suffered in the fires that we set upon ourselves. Mr PM, it is time for you to decide whether you have your heart over here in Pakistan or away from here, either way you got to devote all your time and your energies accordingly. You are most of the time an absence, even when here, whereas you ought to be a presence in the matters of the state and its citizens. After all you wished to be there where you are and it's choice to remain there or abstain yourself, in any even Mr PM you can not shirk from the responsibilities of your office, even that is criminal as you might realize if you think about it.
A few months the PM was going to deal with the terrorists with an "iron hand". We all know how that went.
A few months the PM was going to deal with the terrorists with an "iron hand". But we all know how that went.
He's a liar. He backs these groups that incite sectarian violence. His term could be the worst for Shia Muslims in Pak.
alamgir: the rapid release only applies if they are Deobandis.
What about the Silence of the PM?
On his tour of Pakistan, PM Nawaz Sharif is expected to pass some gas, i mean, laws, to improve the volatile situation. Regards.
@Ali: So the PM finally wakes up. Not really. Since 3 of the dead people belong to the extremist group; he wants to pacify the extremist groups.
So the PM finally wakes up.
Have no practicable authority in the real world, all these inept wannabe leaders can do is put restrictions on cyberspace. One can see imminent FB and Twitter bans in Pakistan.
It also said that CCTV footage had helped the security forces capture nine suspected individuals..............how? connection of all the CCTV camera was cut...and Pakistani people will not tolerate criminal absence of P.M in the country
Those 9 arrested men will be released by our 'independent' judciary by the end of next month. This PM was,is and will always be just words.