Pakistan PM permits authorities to file case against Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi over PTI protests

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif allowed the country’s law enforcement agencies to pursue a case against ex-PM Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur after supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) stormed into the country’s capital, Islamabad. While calling the PTI a party of “anarchists and saboteurs,” the government on Friday decided to tighten its noose against the opposition party.

After days of chaos, the authorities decided to register a case against Bushra and Gandapur who were leading the marches that started from Peshawar and ended in Islamabad. The violent demonstrations became concerning after they led to the death of several people including four security personnel.

According to Pakistani news outlet Dawn, the decision to pursue legal cases was taken by Sharif at a meeting which was chaired by him and was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, federal ministers, Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir and senior security officials.

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What happened at the meeting?

As per the report, significant decisions were taken during the meeting, which included the registration of cases against PTI leaders and workers who were allegedly responsible for the killing of security personnel and an attack on the federal capital when the Belarusian delegation was on an official visit to the country.

The Pakistani premier also formed a task force which will be led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The task force would be responsible for identifying people who were involved in the violent protest. Other members who are part of the task force are Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and officials of security departments.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif established a task force under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi to identify the people involved in spreading chaos and violence in Islamabad earlier this week and take strict action against them,” said an official press release issued by the Prime Minister Office.

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The Prime Minister also decided to set up a Federal Riot-Control Force to prevent future attempts to spread chaos across the country. The PMO statement stated that the force will be “provided with professional training and necessary equipment, on the lines of international standards.”

Apart from this, a Federal Forensic Lab will be set up to investigate the evidence collected at the sites of demonstrations. During the meeting, the prime minister also expressed discontent over the lack of technology that can be used to identify the perpetrators. According to Dawn, the quality of the Islamabad Safe City project was so bad that its cameras could not recognise people, especially at night.