Islamabad, December 3,2024- Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting of the task force formed to investigate the riots during the November 24 sit-in in Islamabad.
The Prime Minister emphasized the need for weekly reviews of progress on legal actions against those spreading unrest in the country. “Those who violated the law, damaged public property, and attacked law enforcement officials, resulting in injuries and martyrdom, must be punished according to the law,” he said.
He expressed regret over the incident coinciding with the state visit of Belarus’ President, calling the attack on the capital during such a significant diplomatic event a cause of embarrassment for Pakistan.
To prevent such incidents in the future, the Prime Minister announced the formation of a modern anti-riot force in line with global standards. Additionally, he directed the inclusion of a forensic lab in Islamabad’s Safe City Project to upgrade it to international standards, pledging the allocation of all necessary resources.
During the briefing, it was disclosed that evidence such as weapons, bullet casings, and other materials from the crime scene had been collected. The evidence is being sent for forensic analysis. The identification process of rioters present at the scene is also underway at an accelerated pace, with plans to present all identified perpetrators before the courts.
The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahsan Cheema, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Advisor to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, and other senior officials.
