By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Top civil and military leaders rallied together on Tuesday to support a decision by the country’s corps commanders to invoke the Army Act and Official Secrets Act against individuals suspected of involvement in the destructive May 9 riots that inflicted widespread damage to both state and private properties across Pakistan.
Last week, Pakistan was engulfed in violent demonstrations after Rangers troops arrested former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a corruption case.
The political tensions escalated dramatically, resulting in attacks on military installations in the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Khan’s party has denied allegations of its workers’ involvement in the ransacking and vandalizing of government buildings and Lahore corps commander’s residence, known as Jinnah House.
During a special Corps Commanders Conference (CCC), held on Monday, the military decided that the perpetrators responsible for the attacks will be brought to justice through trials under the relevant laws of Pakistan, including the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act.
National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also resolved to swiftly apprehend all individuals responsible for the recent wave of violent attacks, along with their facilitators and the instigators who incited them to commit acts of vandalism. The committee aims to bring them to justice within a span of 72 hours.
The meeting endorsed the decision to pursue legal action, including military laws such as the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, against those involved in the incidents, including planners, instigators, and facilitators.
However, the proposal to prosecute arsonists under the Army Act has faced significant backlash, drawing criticism from various rights groups.
Amnesty International has also voiced its concerns, emphasizing that trying civilians in military courts goes against international law. The organization firmly believes that military laws should not be applied to civilians in Pakistan.
Sharif, addressed the nation following the NSC meeting in Islamabad, said those who planned, executed, and abetted the vandalism certainly committed an act of terrorism.
“Our nation demands that those guilty of any offense be punished to prevent such incidents from occurring again,” the primer said.
“They should be brought to justice at any cost, and even if the prime minister says to release someone, refuse to comply with the prime minister’s order.”
Sharif described the events of May 9 as the darkest chapter in the country’s history, surpassing the actions of Pakistan’s worst enemies.
“The law will take its course,” affirmed the prime minister. “There is no question of any mistreatment to anybody, but if anybody has committed a crime, they won’t be spared.” “… even if the prime minister himself orders their release.”
A statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting reaffirmed a policy of “zero tolerance” towards violence and disturbance of peace and decided to observe May 9 as a “black day” nationwide.
The participants expressed solidarity with the armed forces while strongly condemning the rioting and attacks on military installations, labeling them as actions driven by personal and political interests.
The NSC emphasized that no leniency would be shown towards individuals targeting military installations and properties, irrespective of their agenda.
Furthermore, directives were issued to enforce social media regulations to curb propaganda with external patronage and internal facilitation, holding those responsible accountable.
The meeting also stressed the need to resolve political differences through dialogue in accordance with democratic values, rather than through confrontation.
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