PM says PTI protestors will face legal repercussions

During the November 24–27, 2024, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rallies in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed his resolve to prosecute those guilty for the violence.

Speaking during a Joint Task Force (JTF) meeting that was organized to look into the disturbances, Sharif stressed that everyone responsible for the disorder would be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Sharif’s statement underscored the government’s will to enforce justice: “We will make sure that those who broke the law during the protests, damaged public property, and injured law enforcement officials will receive the proper punishment.”

The JTF, which is led by the prime minister, was updated on the investigation’s developments, including the forensic examination of documents found at the protest site.

Weapons and ammunition shells were among the things gathered, and more are now being sent for forensic analysis. In addition, the task force is moving swiftly to find and capture the perpetrators of the violence, intending to put them before the courts as soon as feasible.

In order to guarantee prompt response, Sharif emphasized in his remarks that the court cases will be observed weekly. Additionally, he denounced as a “great embarrassment” to Belarus the attack on the federal capital that occurred during Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko’s official visit.

Anti-riot force formation

The Prime Minister declared plans to create a top-tier anti-riot force capable of managing future protests as part of larger security measures. Sharif stated that the force will be a key component of the government’s plan to stop similar incidents from getting worse and will be organized and trained in accordance with international best standards.

Additionally, in order to satisfy international standards, a new forensic lab will be included in the Islamabad Safe City project, substantially improving it.

Sharif emphasized that Pakistan’s security infrastructure and response capabilities would be strengthened in large part by the new facilities.

The continuous disinformation campaigns about the political upheaval are also being addressed by the authorities. A distinct high-level task force was established to address disinformation, and its job is to look into people who are disseminating false and misleading information regarding the events in Islamabad.

Tracking offenders both domestically and internationally and making sure they face legal repercussions are part of the task force’s duty. Creating policy proposals to counteract harmful propaganda and strengthen the nation’s resistance to destabilizing narratives is another responsibility.