Rawalpindi tragedy: PM reprimands police for inaction

Orders unbiased probe to identify culprits; calls for inquiry into gory videos on social media .

ISLAMABAD: A day after a major shake-up in the Rawalpindi police, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reprimanded the police for their alleged inaction in the Rawalpindi tragedy, saying that the law enforcers should have taken preemptive measures.

Chairing a security meeting, the prime minister directed the police force to address the issue of criminal negligence by carrying out unbiased investigations.

“Those who are responsible for the gruesome act will not be given any leniency from the law as they have put interfaith harmony at risk,” he said, adding that strict action will be taken against those who have no regard for the law.



“Law-enforcement authorities must not show any laxity in dealing with such incidents. Speeches inciting hatred, stone pelting and firing are unacceptable crimes,” he said.

He also said that the ‘criminal silence’ of the administration and police on the propagation of sectarian hatred through loudspeakers and wall chalking would not be tolerated.

Nawaz expressed concern over video clips on social media that allegedly portray violent scenes from Friday’s clashes in the garrison city.  “The gory videos [raise] serious concerns,” sources quoted the premier as saying.  “[They] must be examined to check originality [and] avoid early or untimely decisions in this regard. The interior ministry is hereby directed to go for a thorough inquiry to clarify things.”



The premier also directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to carry out an inquiry into the authenticity of these videos circulating about the Rawalpindi incident and ordered officials to present a draft of cyber laws to curtail the negative impact of social media during such incidents.

The prime minister also urged religious groups to promote harmony in order to supplement the government’s efforts for defusing the situation.

A detailed report of the incident was presented to the prime minister during the meeting by IGP Punjab Khan Baig.



Although he admitted to the failure of police officials, Baig said video footage had helped capture nine suspects. According to him, 11 people were killed and 56 injured in the Rawalpindi incident. The deaths, he said, were caused by firearms and refuted claims about missing persons.

ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam, Information Minister Pervez Rasheed and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2013.