LAHORE – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned that preparations were under way for an attempt to enter Islamabad, saying anyone trying to disrupt or shut down the federal capital would face action in accordance with the law.
Mohsin Naqvi made this warning ahead of PTI march in Islamabad.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi said the government would not allow the capital to be closed down and would ensure strict implementation of the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) directives concerning protests and marches.
He said the government had the legal authority to deal with any attempt to enter Islamabad in violation of the court’s order and would use all available legal options.
“There is still time to avoid going into a dead end,” Naqvi said, urging those planning the protest not to take a course from which there would be no way back.
He said the government would not allow the country’s activities to remain disrupted for 10 or 20 days because of a protest and would formulate a permanent strategy to deal with any such attempt.
Referring to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the interior minister said police personnel were losing their lives in the line of duty. He said political differences should remain separate from the sacrifices of security personnel, adding that the deceased belonged to Pakistan.
Naqvi also criticised the absence of political leaders and ministers from the funerals of security personnel killed in attacks.
On Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s planned protest, he claimed that many PTI members were reluctant to participate in the proposed long march and said there was uncertainty over the party’s demands.
Regarding PTI founder Imran Khan, Naqvi said his medical treatment would be carried out according to law and not according to his personal preference. He added that Khan had undergone a medical examination a day earlier.
On the possibility of creating new provinces, the interior minister expressed optimism that the process would move forward, saying the matter was progressing rapidly.
Asked about the rising petroleum prices, Mohsin Naqvi said he did not want to comment extensively on the economy but noted that fuel prices were linked to international market conditions.
He said the prevailing global situation had created difficulties in securing petroleum supplies.
