Miscreants involved in attacks on military installations to be tried under Army Act: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday made it clear that rioters involved in attacking military installations will be tried under the Army Act, whereas others will be dealt under Anti-Terrorism Act.

Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Monday, he said we have no vendetta against anyone but those, who desecrated the monuments of our martyrs and heroes as well as ransacked civilian properties, will not be spared.

He said such elements must be brought to justice.

Acknowledging sacrifices and contribution of the armed forces, Shehbaz Sharif said today he inaugurated the National Games in Quetta after a gap of 19 years and this dream was materialized as a result of security forces' efforts.  

Responding to PTI Chief Imran Khan’s tweet, the Prime Minister said that he can say with complete responsibility that Army Chief Syed Asim Munir, when he was serving as the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence, had shown evidence of corruption of Imran Niazi’s wife. He said that had enraged Imran Niazi and the rest is history.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Imran Niazi is once again misleading the people of Pakistan through his white lies. He questioned how the nation can forget the corruption of sixty billion rupees committed by Imran Niazi.

The National Assembly on Monday passed a resolution condemning the shocking, brazen, heart-wrenching and shameless incidents, which took place on 9th May 2023.

The Resolution moved by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said these incidents tarnished the national image of the country.

Expressing its full faith in and complete solidarity and support for the armed forces of Pakistan, the House resolved that 9th May be reckoned as the Black Day.

It said all abettors, planners, facilitators and those directly or indirectly involved in arson and ransacking military installations as well as public and private properties should be prosecuted and tried under the existing laws of the country, including the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, Army Act 1952, and Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

The House urged all relevant authorities to implement social media rules and regulations in order to tackle propaganda being unleashed against the country's institutions both from within and outside of Pakistan under the patronage and facilitation from multiple players. Those involved in such propaganda campaigns should strictly be dealt with as per law.

The National Assembly reiterated its commitment to national unity, harmony and integrity in the wake of current geostrategic situation and deprecate all anti-state elements which attempt to destabilize the country, and it also emphasized that resolution of all political issues must always stay within the realm of parliamentary and democratic norms and resorting to violence against state institutions, public and private properties is totally unacceptable.                                         

The House also passed another resolution moved by Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, condemning the suicide attack on Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Sirajul Haq.

The National Assembly was informed on Monday that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is making all out efforts to promote national cohesion and projects Pakistan’s soft, progressive and democratic image within and outside the country.

This was stated by Parliamentary Secretary on Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Shahbaz Babar while responding to a question during the Question Hour.

He said all the organizations and departments attached with the ministry, including Press Information Department, Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television, Associated Press of Pakistan, are striving hard to promote national narrative.

He said Radio Pakistan being the national broadcaster counters propaganda against the state in various languages. He said all these platforms have strong digital footprints.

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for Narcotics Control Nawabzada Shazain Bugti said the federal government, with the cooperation of provinces, is taking all possible measures to control sale of ice and other drugs in the country.

He said the government is working on conducting random drug tests in educational institutions to have an updated data about drug users so that effective strategies can be evolved to control this menace.

Those who spoke on the occasion included Naz Baloch, Engineer Sabir Hussain Kaimkhani, Salahuddin Ayubi, Mir Ghulam Ali Talpur, Ali Wazir, Abdul Qadir Mandokhel, and Kesoo Mal Kheeal Das.

The House will again meet tomorrow at 1:30 pm.