The National Assembly has approved a resolution denouncing the violent protests organised that erupted nationwide following the detention of Imran Khan, the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and former minister, by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on May 9 in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The session of the Lower House of the Parliament under the chairmanship of Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf is underway in which Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif presented a resolution condemning the events of May 9.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif presented the condemnation resolution and said that the cases of May 9 attacks will be conducted according to the existing laws, adding that the cases will be conducted under the Army Act and Anti-Terrorism Act.
Expressing its full faith in and complete solidarity and support for the armed forces of Pakistan, the House resolved that 9th May be reckoned as the Black Day.
It said all abettors, planners, facilitators and those directly or indirectly involved in arson and ransacking military installations as well as public and private properties should be prosecuted and tried under the existing laws of the country, including the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, Army Act 1952, and Pakistan Penal Code 1860.
The House urged all relevant authorities to implement social media rules and regulations in order to tackle propaganda being unleashed against the country’s institutions both from within and outside of Pakistan under the patronage and facilitation from multiple players. Those involved in such propaganda campaigns should strictly be dealt with as per law.
The National Assembly reiterated its commitment to national unity, harmony and integrity in the wake of current geostrategic situation and deprecate all anti-state elements which attempt to destabilize the country, and it also emphasized that resolution of all political issues must always stay within the realm of parliamentary and democratic norms and resorting to violence against state institutions, public and private properties is totally unacceptable.
During his speech at the National Assembly, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif strongly condemned PTI Chairman Imran Khan, expressing dissatisfaction with his delayed response in denouncing the incidents of May 9. He warned of the possibility of further arrests and preparations for legal proceedings and said that Imran Khan was sitting in the court and using the phone.
He questioned Imran Khan’s claim of being unaware of outside events during his imprisonment, citing the availability of telephone facilities. The minister expressed concern over damaging of national identity and questioned the identity of those responsible for inciting the attacks.
