Cabinet approves zero-tolerance policy for May 9 rioters 

The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved adopting zero tolerance policy for the protesters who ransacked and vandalized military installations on May 9, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The federal cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House strongly condemned the May 9 mayhem. 

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

Addressing the participants, the prime minister said that the entire nation was standing with its martyrs 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. 

The interior minister Rana Sanaullah and the federal secretary for interior affairs briefed the meeting in detail about the May 9 events. Videos and pictures along with places related to May 9 incidents were also screened during the meeting. 

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 had attacked civilians and lawmen on May 9 and damaged properties, besides torching vehicles of the armed forces, police, ambulances, and other public transport. 

It was informed that only those people would be tried under the Army Act against whom there was solid evidence that they had been involved in attacks on 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 on facial recognition by NADRA. 

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 the 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 detail 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 the appointment of major general (retd) Hafeez ur Rehman as a member administration of Pakistan Telecommunication. 

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

The interior minister also responded to various questions asked by the Prime Minister and Federal Ministers. 

The minister clarified to the cabinet that no one is being arrested illegally. 

Interior Minister said that complete verification is being done of the people involved in violent incidents.

“All arrests are being made after due course of identification and verification, Rana added. 

The Cabinet also ratified the decisions of the ECC

 Reporter: Awais Kayani