After a meeting of corps commanders, the civil and military leadership of Pakistan backed the decision to use the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act against those suspected of involvement in the May 9 riots that caused damage to state and private properties across the country.
The National Security Committee NSC, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has determined to arrest the perpetrators, organisers, and instigators of the violent attacks within 72 hours.
Proposals to trial arsonists under the Army Act have been met with widespread opposition from rights groups. Amnesty International, a global human rights organisation, shared these worries.
Because it is against international law to trial civilians in military courts, it stated that “civilians must not be tried under military laws” in Pakistan.
Attendees of NSC included Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, Information Minister Mariyum Aurangzeb, Principal Secretary to the PM Dr. Tauqir Shah, and others.
Army Chief of Staff General Syed Asim Munir was present, as were the heads of the Air Force and Navy, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza.
NSC agrees with military decisions
The military and civilian authorities have declared May 9 to be a “black day” in honour of the fallen. It was also resolved in the high-level meeting that all political forces should try to talk out their differences instead of getting into a fight.
The NSC agreed with the decision made by the corps commanders to pursue criminal charges against the ‘attackers’ under the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The committee vowed that anybody who targeted defence installations for any reason would be brought to account and that no mercy would be offered to them.
The meeting, according to the official release, decided that no destruction of security installations, public properties, or national dignity would be tolerated and that all those responsible for the riots and arsons on May 9 will be brought to account.
In light of the global political confrontation and the enemies’ policy of instability, the forum urged national unity and harmony.
To combat “propaganda patronised by foreign elements through local facilitation and penalise the perpetrators,” the gathering called for strict enforcement of existing laws governing social media.
At the NSC meeting, Prime Minister Sharif promised that the protesters will be arrested within three days.
The leaders and organisers of the May 9 riots will be held accountable for their roles in attacking military installations and demeaning our martyrs. To ensure that this never happens again, our 220 million-strong nation has asked that individuals who are wicked in whatever way be punished,” he continued.
The Prime Minister has called for the drafting of legal, constitutional, and administrative steps in NSC meeting to ensure that the events of May 9 never happen again. He stated, “Millions of people are angry and upset even today,” adding that “gruesome events” had taken place beginning on May 9 that brought dishonour to Pakistan.
Whatever happened on May 9 will be recognised as the darkest moment in this country’s history, he said. In response to the assault on the residence of the Corps Commander, the Prime Minister stated in NSC, “Jinnah House is not merely a building… It was the home of the sons who defended Pakistan. But they levelled it to the ground and burned it to ashes.
The premier was cited as saying, “I have told the authorities concerned not to show any leniency towards those involved in destruction even if I ask for any favour and not to punish any innocent even on my orders.”
In contrast, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated on national television that the government had evidence that the protesters were trained at Mr. Khan’s Zaman Park home.
To read our article about “Pakistan, 16 tribal members dead over dispute on a coal mine” click here.
