Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to ensure that those responsible for the violent protests on May 9, following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, will face justice according to the country’s laws and the constitution. The prime minister emphasized that individuals involved in attacks on civilian state installations will be tried under anti-terrorism laws, while those who vandalized sensitive military installations will face trial under the army act.
These decisions were made during a crucial meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by PM Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting, attended by senior cabinet ministers, services chiefs, and relevant officials, aimed to hold accountable those behind the violent protests. The Army Chief, Gen Asim Munir, also chaired a corps commanders conference where it was decided that perpetrators, planners, and executors of the attacks would be tried under Pakistani laws, including the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
The NSC meeting endorsed the decision of the corps commanders’ conference, as stated in a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). The statement confirmed that trials would be initiated against those involved in the attacks, ensuring justice under relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
During a press conference, PM Shehbaz emphasized the gravity of the situation, declaring that the events of May 9 would be remembered as a Black Day in history. He condemned the acts of terrorism committed by the mob, claiming that their actions achieved goals that even the country’s worst enemies had not been able to achieve in the past 75 years. The prime minister drew parallels between the attacks on sensitive state installations and previous terrorist incidents in the country.
PM Shehbaz stated that no individual involved in planning, instigation, propagating negative sentiments against the state, or engaging in vandalism would be spared from legal consequences. The government is determined to hold all responsible parties accountable for their actions. He emphasized that nobody would be allowed to evade the law.
The meeting also included briefings by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, the acting chief minister of Punjab, and the secretary of prosecution in Punjab regarding the progress of cases against those involved in the protests. These updates were based on reports from the provincial governments of Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to bring the individuals involved in the May 9 protests to justice. The government intends to hold accountable those responsible for attacks on civilian state installations and sensitive military installations. The decisions made in the NSC meeting, along with the endorsement from the corps commanders conference, reflect the government’s determination to ensure justice is served. PM Shehbaz expressed the seriousness of the situation, likening it to a Black Day in history. The government will spare no effort to apprehend and prosecute all individuals involved, regardless of their role in the protests.