Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday ordered authorities concerned to lodge cases against workers and leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who have participated in the Islamabad protest, describing them as “fitna” (mischief) and a “group of terrorists.”
Chairing a high-level meeting on the law and order situation in the country, he said the PTI was not a political party and should not be treated as such. He lamented that this week’s protest marked the fourth time the PTI had “invaded” Islamabad by using state resources of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
“No one could have even thought of such evil ambitions before 2014,” he said, referring to the 126-day sit-in of Imran Khan and the PTI. Claiming the 2014 sit-in had achieved nothing apart from bringing disrepute to Pakistan and damaging the economy, he regretted that a high-profile visit of the Chinese president was cancelled because of it. He recalled the former ruling party had similarly tried to “attack” Islamabad ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in October.
“They [PTI supporters] martyred a policeman and four Rangers personnel. Dozens of law enforcers sustained bullet injuries,” said Sharif, stressing time had come to take strict action against rioters. “Should we hand Pakistan over to this terrorist party?” he questioned, referring to the PTI. He vowed that the PTI would not be allowed to destroy Pakistan. “We need to break these hands [instead],” he said, claiming protests and sit-ins cost Pakistan’s economy Rs. 190 billion per day.
He accused the PTI of wanting to roll back economic gains of the past two years, including declines in inflation and the interest rate. “The federal government’s senior leadership, the COAS, and his entire team are present here. Time and tide wait for none. PTI is not a political party but a group of abettors, saboteurs, and miscreants that must be held accountable under the law,” he said. “It is our national duty to expose them; failing to do so will invite harsh judgment from history, and posterity will not forgive us,” he added.
Sharif urged the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government to focus on development of the province, saying the “beautiful” province had very brave, strong and patriotic citizens. He regretted the provincial government had exhibited indifference to the ongoing unrest in Kurram.
During the meeting, the prime minister established a Task Force led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to identify people involved in spreading chaos in Islamabad earlier this week. He ordered strict action against all such ‘rioters.’ Apart from Naqvi, the Task Force would comprise Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Division Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, and representatives of the security forces.
Sharif also announced an intent to set up a Federal Riot-Control Force to prevent future attempts to spread chaos and violence in the country. This force, he said, would be equipped with professional training and necessary equipment as per international standards. Similarly, the meeting decided to establish a Federal Forensic Lab to investigate and collect evidence for such incidents.
A day earlier, the Balochistan Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ban on the PTI for its “anti-state” actions. A similar resolution has been tabled in the Punjab Assembly.