Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has said the state would defend civil servants in discharging their duties against “violent trolls” and ensure exemplary punishment to them.

“There should be no doubt about our commitment to these noble civil servants serving the State and the people of Pakistan,” he said in a statement.

“The people of Pakistan have spoken with a clear voice on February 8 and have given a split mandate. Some elements with proven track record of violent behaviour and vigilantism are now using different tricks including weaponisation of social media in blackmailing and pressurising civil servants to switch their loyalties from the State of Pakistan to the violent gang.

“This action is clear violation of the Article 5 and other articles of the Constitution and the laws of the land,” the premier added.