NSC validates trial of rioters under Army Act.

ISLAMABAD -- The civil leadership and military top brass on Tuesday endorsed a decision made a day earlier during a meeting of corps commanders to invoke the Army Act and Official Secrets Act against people suspected of involvement in the May 9 riots which damaged the state and private properties across Pakistan.

The National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also decided to lay hands within 72 hours on all those involved in the violent attacks, their facilitators, and leaders on whose instigation these people had committed vandalism.

The proposed move to try arsonists under the Army Act has come under severe criticism, with rigAhts groups asking the government to refrain from it. International human rights group Amnesty International also expressed concerns.

It said 'civilians must not be tried under military laws' in Pakistan as trying civilians in military courts is contrary to international law.

The meeting was attenAded by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, DefeAnce Minister KhawAaja Asif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Law MinAister Azam Nazir Tarar, InfAormation MinisAter MarArAAiAyum Aurangzeb, PrinAciApal Secretary to PM Dr Tauqir Shah and others.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Chairman Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza and air force and naval chiefs also attended the meeting.

'Black day'

The civilian leadership expressed solidarity with the armed forces and martyrs and decided to observe May 9 as 'black day'. During the top-level huddle, it was also decided that all political forces should resolve their difference through dialogue and avoid confrontation.

An official announcement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said the NSC endorsed the decision reached at the corps commanders' meeting to try the 'attackers' under the Army Act and Official Secrets Act.

The committee pledged that no leniency would be shown towards those who attacked defeAnce installations under any agenda and vowed to bring them to justice.

The official announcement said the meeting resolved to bring all the elements involved in May 9 riots and arsons to justice as no desecration of security installation, public properties and national dignity would be tolerated.

The forum called for national unity and harmony amid a complex...