Punjab govt instigating violent protests

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood said on Tuesday that the Punjab government was responsible for the loss of lives during the violent protests against load shedding. In a press statement, he said that protests against load shedding were justified but it was the responsibility of the provincial administration to ensure that they remained peaceful. Three people have died as a result of violent protests in Kamalia and Chichawatni. He added that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is actively instigating violent protests as several leaders of the party have led a number of such protests. He claimed that the protesters have often been directed to attack political opponents and PTI supporters amongst others have been victims of such violent attacks in Vehari and Faisalabad. 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. Media footage has shown law enforcers standing as silent spectators while violent protesters have looted and destroyed banks, CNG stations, shops, cars and other private and public property, he added.