PM takes strong exception of Police role in Rawalpindi incident; direct fixing of responsibility for criminal negligence of not taking notice of propagation of sectarian hatred, negative role of social media
- November 22, 2013, 2:17 pm
- National News
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 20 (INP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has directed the police authorities to fix responsibility of criminal negligence by carrying out fair and neutral investigation into the Rawalpindi incident.
The Prime Minister directed this while chairing a high-level meeting on law and order at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.
Taking strong exception over the role of police in the Rawalpindi incident, the Prime Minister said that police should have taken preemptive action to forestall the incident.
During the meeting, Inspector General of Punjab Police Mr. Khan Baig gave a detailed briefing over the incident.
While admitting failure of local police authorities, the Inspector General of Police briefed the meeting that the Rawalpindi incident resulted into 11 causalities and injuries to 56 people. He further told the meeting that all deaths resulted due to fire arms and refuted claims from some quarters about missing persons in the tragic incident.
The Inspector General informed the meeting that 9 perpetrators involved in this incident have been apprehended after their identification with the aid of video footage obtained from media organizations.
The Prime Minister expressed great deal of displeasure over the criminal inaction and laxity of the police authorities. “Law-enforcement authorities must not show any laxity in dealing with such incidents. Speech inciting hatred, stone pelting and firing are unacceptable crimesâ€, said the Prime Minister.
Mr Nawaz Sharif directed that criminal silence on the part of administration and police on the propagation of sectarian hatred through loud speakers and wall chalking would not be tolerated. He further directed to take strict action against those who have no regards for law and order.
While taking note of the negative role played by the social media during the tragic incident, the Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to present draft Cyber Law within days.
Minister for Interior Ch Nisar Ali Khan, Minister for Information Senator Pervez Rashid, Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed, Minister for Law, Govt. of Punjab Rana Sanaullah, DG ISI Lt. Gen Zaheer-ul-Islam, DG IB Mr. Aftab Sultan and senior officials of the Prime Minister’s Office, Interior Ministry and Punjab Government attended the meeting.
