ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against attempting to enter Islamabad for a protest following the Islamabad High Court’s order, ARY News reported.
Speaking about PTI’s planned protest, Mohsin Naqvi said there was no justification for launching an attack on Islamabad after the court’s decision.
He said all forces had been directed to stop any attempt by protesters to enter the federal capital through every possible means.
“If an attempt is made to attack Islamabad, we will also approach the court for contempt proceedings,” he said.
Naqvi said security personnel had also been told that they could not remain silent if protesters opened fire at them.
He said people had the right to hold peaceful protests in their own cities and areas, but an attack on another province would not be accepted.
The interior minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was facing terrorism every day and questioned PTI’s top cadre about preparation for a long march when the province was dealing with the deaths of security personnel.
“It does not suit anyone to carry the coffins of martyrs on one hand and prepare for sit-ins on the other,” he said.
Naqvi called on the KP chief minister and his cabinet to work as hard to counter terrorism as they were working for the long march.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly offered talks and said the government was ready for dialogue.
Naqvi said there was a difference between political rallies and groups attempting to enter Islamabad through force.
He warned that if anyone lost their life during such an attempt, the organisers who brought the groups to Islamabad would be responsible.
The interior minister said the government was fully prepared to deal with PTI’s protest in Islamabad and the provinces were also ready to maintain law and order.
He said the government would not allow the kind of unrest that had occurred in the past.
Naqvi said he personally opposed the installation of containers, but law enforcement agencies sometimes demanded such measures.
“If they hold a protest, we will have to block roads in Islamabad,” he said, adding that his effort would be to minimise difficulties for residents of the capital.
He said Islamabad police would ensure security across the city, while more than 3,000 Islamabad police personnel were not available, requiring assistance from other institutions.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Advocate General Manzoor Ahmed said inspectors general of police would ensure that no PTI protest was held towards Islamabad.
He said government machinery would not be allowed to be used for the protest in Islamabad.
The advocate general said action against anyone violating their constitutional responsibilities was provided under the Constitution, adding that proceedings could be initiated under Article 5.
He also said government employees participating in the PTI protest would be held accountable.
