'Criminal silence' of authorities in Rawalpindi incident not to be tolerated: Nawaz
Nawaz takes note of social media's role in the incident, wants a draft cyber law 'within days'.
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.
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.