Shehbaz’s sledgehammer: Anti-riot force to tackle demonstrators

Islamabad (Daily Times Online) Pakistan’s government has decided to crack down on protesters, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordering the formation of an anti-riot force to tackle demonstrators ¹. This move comes after the Islamabad protests, which saw widespread unrest and clashes between protesters and security forces.
The government’s response has been criticized for being heavy-handed, with many accusing the authorities of using excessive force against peaceful protesters. The premier’s statement, in which he referred to protesters as “anarchists” and accused them of causing economic losses, has also been slammed for being divisive and inflammatory.
This is not the first time the Pakistani government has been accused of brutality against its own people. Human rights organizations have long criticized the government’s use of force against protesters, as well as its treatment of minority groups and political opponents.
The government’s actions have been described as a “blanket ban on protests” and an attempt to “silence dissenting voices” ¹. Many are concerned that this crackdown will only lead to further unrest and instability in the country.