Majority of May 9 rioters identified and arrested, federal cabinet told

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday was apprised that about 95 percent people involved in violent incidents on May 9 were identified whereas 60 percent of the miscreants involved in the incidents had been arrested, ARY News reported.

The cabinet directed for expediting the identification process and arrest of people involved in May 9 incidents, stressing that no innocent citizen should be arrested in the backdrop of such incidents, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release.

Addressing the participants, the prime minister said that the entire nation was standing with its shuhada and their families. These martyrs had sacrificed their lives and left their orphan children behind to save the future of young generations.

The prime minister also stressed that all legal requirements should be fulfilled during proceedings against the elements involved in the criminal incidents. Only those people were arrested who had been involved in the incidents, he added.

A detailed briefing was given over the damages inflicted upon the private and public properties during the unfortunate incidents of May 9.

The meeting was apprised that miscreants of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had attacked civilians and personnel of law enforcing agencies on May 9 and damaged properties, besides torching vehicles of the armed forces, police, ambulances and other public transport.

Sensitive installations, police stations, Jinnah House Lahore and Radio Pakistan, Peshawar were attacked and burnt to ashes, it was added.

It was informed that contrary to the PTI’s ongoing propaganda campaign, cases were being registered against the attackers under Pakistan Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act for staging attacks on civil and private buildings and properties. Only those people would be tried under the Army Act against whom there were solid evidences that they had been involved in attacks on the sensitive installations.

The right of appeal at the higher judiciary was available against the decisions taken after proceedings under the Army Act, it was further added.

The meeting was also briefed over facial recognition by NADRA. Videos and pictures along with places related to May 9 incidents were also screened during the meeting.

The cabinet reaffirmed strict implementation of decisions taken during a meeting of the National Security Committee on May 16.

It also directed for making the unanimously adopted resolution to condemn May 9 black day incidents by the National Assembly as part of the record.

The cabinet further directed to effectively counter the PTI’s propaganda being churned out in different friendly countries.

The meeting was briefed in details about the Road to Makkah Project and about its implementation under a memorandum signed on May 17.

Under the project, the intending Pakistani pilgrims would be able to complete their immigration in Pakistan, thus saving them from the process in Saudi Arabia.

Five special counters had been established at the Islamabad airport for the purpose where a total of 2450 pilgrims had been facilitated in the current Hajj season. A total of 26000 pilgrims would be facilitated from this project in the current year, it was added.

The meeting was further apprised that in the next year, the project would be extended to other airports of the country, taking the number of pilgrims to 75000 who would be provided with this facility.

The cabinet accorded its approval to appointment of major general (retd) Hafeez ur Rehman as member administration of Pakistan Telecommunication.

It also ratified its decision taken during Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting of May 16.

May 9 events

Violent clashes broke out across Pakistan after former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan was arrested at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday.

The protests were held in remote and major cities as the party workers are agitated due to their chairman’s arrest, with Balochistan, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad summoning the armed forces to ensure law and order.

Army installations and Corps Commander’s house in Lahore came under attack during a protest of PTI workers.

It was also reported that Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi sustained severe injuries while clearing.