Govt to foot the bill for Labbaik’s vandalism

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–PM Imran directs Punjab govt to prepare compensation package for citizens  

 

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Wednesday decided to compensate citizens and members of civil society for losses incurred last week as the far-right party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) launched countrywide protests after the Supreme Court (SC) acquitted Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman, in a blasphemy case.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has called for an assessment of public and private property damage as a consequence of vandalism by TLP protesters and directed the Punjab government to prepare compensation packages for citizens who were caught in the line of fire.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry had earlier said that the authorities are estimating the damage that the protesters caused to public property.

Talking to reporters in Islamabad, Fawad maintained that all provinces have been directed to submit details in this regard.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Interior Ministry had presented PM Imran with a report pertaining to reformative action being taken against individuals involved in the TLP protests.

The report revealed that as many as 1,800 people have been arrested in connection with the protests.

According to the report, cases have been registered against as many as 5,000 violent protesters and all resources are being mobilised, and the federal government will also contact the provincial governments, Defence Ministry and other state institutions for their help in the matter.

PM Khan was also informed that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is taking action against those engaged in cybercrime. Pictures and videos are also being used to aid the investigation against the miscreants.

On Monday, the Interior Ministry had also released photographs of several individuals who damaged public property as part of a crackdown against those involved in rioting during a nationwide protest.