Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) central information secretary Shafqat Mahmood here on Tuesday said that the Punjab government is responsible for of loss of lives during violent protests against load shedding. He said people protesting against unbearable load shedding was completely justified but it was the responsibility of the provincial administration to ensure that protests remain peaceful.
"Three people died as a result of the violent protests in Kamalia and Chicha Watni. "Violent protests and destruction of public and private property across the province is clear evidence that the law enforcement authorities of the Punjab administration stands completely paralysed," he added.
He alleged that the PML-N is actively instigating violent protests, as they have seen numerous leaders of the party lead a number of such protests. Furthermore, the PML-N has often talked about a bloody revolution, which is tantamount to encouraging widespread violence to achieve petty political goals. It is also important here to mention that protesters have been directed to attack political opponents and PTI amongst others has been a victim of such violent attacks in Vehari and Faisalabad," he added.
He questioned the partisan role of law enforcement agencies in facilitating such attacks on political opponents as no arrests have been made in any of the incidents. He said media footages have shown law enforcers standing as silent spectators as violent protesters have looted and destroyed banks, CNG stations, shops, cars and other private and public property. Shafqat warned the PML-N to resist the temptation of treading down this dangerous path in quest of achieving petty political interests, which could ultimately lead to complete chaos and anarchy in the largest province of the country.