ISLAMABAD: In a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) on Tuesday, the country’s civil and military leadership emphasised the importance of political dialogue over confrontation in resolving differences.
The meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by senior cabinet ministers, service chiefs, the Director General of the Intelligence Services, and other relevant officials, promised to bring those responsible for last week’s violent protests to justice.
The meeting was called to discuss the violent protests that erupted after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on May 9. Protesters ransacked and vandalised military installations, including the residence of the Corps Commander in Lahore.
On Monday, Army Chief Gen Asim Munir presided over a corps commanders conference at which it was decided that perpetrators, planners, and executors of such attacks would face prosecution under Pakistani laws such as the Army Act and the Official Secrets Act.
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According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) following the NSC meeting, the participants endorsed the decision of the corps commanders conference.
“The meeting endorsed the decision to initiate trials against perpetrators, conspirators, and facilitators under relevant laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act, to ensure justice,” according to the statement.
The meeting declared May 9 as a national black day and expressed complete solidarity and support for Pakistan’s armed forces. The meeting’s attendees also lavished tributes on the martyrs and their families.
The participants strongly condemned arson, encirclement, and attacks on military installations for personal and political gain. They reiterated that a ‘zero tolerance’ policy would be implemented in the country against violence and mischief.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to not tolerate any violation of the sanctity and dignity of military installations and public property. “All elements involved in the Black Day of May 9 will be brought to justice,” the statement promised.
The forum stated unequivocally that no concessions would be made to those who attacked military installations and locations for any reason.
The meeting directed the strict implementation of social media rules and regulations so that propaganda carried out with external patronage and internal facilitation could be addressed and the perpetrators brought to justice.
The civil and military leadership emphasised the importance of forging national unity in an increasingly complex geostrategic environment due to global political conflict and hostile powers’ destabilisation policies.
The forum emphasised the importance of resolving political differences through dialogue based on democratic values rather than confrontation.
