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Top Pakistani civilian and military leaders seek political dialogue, condemn violent protests
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif on Tuesday described violent protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on corruption charges last week as an act of “terrorism” after a meeting of the country’s top civilian and military leaders called for Constructive dialogue among political stakeholders to bridge differences.
Khan was dragged from a courthouse in Islamabad on May 9 by a group of paramilitary rangers on the direction of Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency, as political tensions escalated sharply, leading to protests in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Military installations were attacked.
Khan’s party denies allegations that its workers were involved in the looting and destruction of government buildings and the residence of the regiment commander in Lahore, known as Jinnah House.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Sharif chaired a meeting of the country’s National Security Council, made up of senior civilian and military officials who oversee security matters, pledging a “zero tolerance” policy on domestic violence.
“Those who planned, carried out and abetted the act of sabotage on May 9 certainly committed an act of terrorism,” Sharif said in televised comments after a meeting of the National Security Council in Islamabad.
“They should be brought to justice at all costs and refuse to obey the Prime Minister’s order even if the Prime Minister says to release someone.”
In a statement issued after the National Security Council meeting, participants also called for constructive dialogue among the country’s various political stakeholders, while encouraging them to resolve differences through negotiations.
“The meeting emphasized national unity in an increasingly complex geostrategic environment,” the statement said. “The forum underscored the need to resolve political differences through dialogue, not confrontation, based on democratic values.”
However, after the meeting, the prime minister recounted violent attacks on military installations, saying rioters stormed the army general headquarters in Rawalpindi, the air base in Mianwali and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Faisalabad Office of the spy agency.
“Whatever happens in this country on May 9th, it will be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the country’s history,” Sharif said, adding that Pakistan’s worst enemy would never do what the protesters did on May 9. what you did on the 9th.
He said it was a public demand to punish all those involved in the vandalism.
“The law will take its course,” the Prime Minister said. “There is no question of abusing anyone, but if someone commits a crime, they will not be spared.”
Arab News interviewed defense and political experts on the matter, who said the authorities should arrest all those involved in the sabotage, but provide them with all legal support to defend themselves in court.
Political analyst Zebunnisa Burki told Arab News: “The most important thing right now is to see if all those arrested for vandalism have received a fair trial and due process of law.”
“No one can celebrate vandalism, but it is important that the authorities apply civil law to try the accused in court to keep the legal process fair and transparent.”
Defense analyst Lt. Gen. (retired) Ejaz Awan backed the government’s move to bring the May 9 rioters to justice, calling the “desecration” of military installations a horrific act.
“All those involved in the crime should be prosecuted under existing laws to ensure transparency of the process,” he told Arab News, adding that the government has yet to share with the public when the trial of the arrested accused will start and under which laws.
The military also said on Monday that “perpetrators, vandals and lawbreakers” involved in last week’s violence would be tried under relevant Pakistani laws, including the Pakistan Army Act and the Official Secrets Act. Both laws allow for the death penalty and life imprisonment, with trials conducted by secret military courts.
In response, Khan’s party said on Tuesday that there was no room in democracies to combine the roles of “judge, jury and executioner” in one person or institution.
Since his ouster, Khan has accused the army and its then commander-in-chief, Gen. Kamal Javed Bajwa, of conspiring to oust him with his political opponents, who now form the current coalition government. Khan, who came to power in the 2018 general election, is widely believed to have been manipulated by the military for his benefit – denied by both sides – but has since feuded with the military.
He has said in recent interviews that relations between his party and the army have not improved under the new army chief, General Asim Munir.
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