Asia Bibi case verdict: Rioters being arrested, booked countrywide

ISLAMABAD: The rioters from across Pakistan involved in vandalizing and harassing citizens, during their protests against a Supreme Court verdict acquitting Asia Bibi, are being identified and arrested by security forces countrywide.    

According to details, police has been registering cases against the culprits.

In Islamabad, 500 people have been booked and 12 have been arrested so far. The order to imprison 19 rioters under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) has also been issued.

Moreover,170 rioters have been taken into custody from Sheikhupura.

As per police officials, the miscreants were traced through videos shot during the demonstrations.

“In Sheikhupura, the rioters had not only damaged property but clashed and wounded 34 policemen,” police officials added.

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi has also summoned a report today from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the identities of the rioters.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Interior set up a complaint cell, urging citizens to share pictures and videos of those involved in damaging state and private properties in the name of protests. They have been asked to share such pictures and videos on 03315480011 to help identify the rioters.

The ministry has assured that name and number of those citizens, who will share pictures and videos of violent protesters, will be kept under wraps.

Meanwhile, Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat tweeted: “03359950236 is our official Whatsapp number which will be used to receive complaints & any video, photo, evidence for locating/identifying the culprits who damaged public /private properties and injured people in the area of Islamabad Capital Territory.”