Summary Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned PTI against attempting to march on Islamabad, saying strict action would follow any violation of the law or court orders.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against attempting to march on Islamabad, saying those trying to enter the federal capital in violation of the law will face strict consequences.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said PTI was preparing to “storm” Islamabad but still had time to reconsider its decision and avoid entering a situation from which there would be no way back.
He said there would be no benefit in attempting to enter Islamabad and that the government would not allow a situation in which the country remained shut for 10 to 20 days.
Naqvi claimed that most of the PTI leadership did not want to proceed with the long march and advised the party not to harm itself or its workers. He said political rhetoric and threats would not change the government’s position, adding that authorities would leave no gap in their preparations if the party proceeded with the march.
The interior minister said that if PTI still came to Islamabad for a sit-in, the government would implement the Islamabad High Court’s orders. The IHC has previously ruled that political parties cannot block roads and highways and directed that public funds and government resources should not be used to facilitate the proposed march.
Regarding PTI’s demands, Naqvi said the party itself was unclear about what it wanted. He said if the demand concerned a medical check-up of PTI founder Imran Khan, the check-up had already been conducted the previous night. He added that the government would provide treatment to Imran Khan according to law.
Naqvi also criticised the absence of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and ministers from the funerals of those killed in the Hangu attack, saying political differences should not reach such an extreme. The interior minister had separately visited the family of martyred Captain Hamza Akram following the Hangu operation.
Speaking about fuel prices, Naqvi said changes in petrol prices were linked to fluctuations in the international market.
On the issue of new provinces, the interior minister said people were strongly supporting the creation of new provinces and expressed hope that new provinces would be established. Earlier, Naqvi had said decisions on new provinces should be based on public opinion and national consensus.
Naqvi’s remarks come ahead of PTI’s already announced September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad, for which the government has said security arrangements are being made in accordance with the Islamabad High Court’s directives.
