ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against attempting to enter Islamabad in violation of the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) detailed ruling on protests.
The IHC’s 37-page judgment states that political parties do not have a lawful right to block public roads, highways or other public places, while provincial governments have been directed not to use state machinery or resources to facilitate the proposed march.
Speaking about PTI’s planned protest, Naqvi said there would be no justification for what he described as an attempt to “attack” or “storm” the federal capital following the court’s decision.
He said law enforcement agencies had been directed to prevent anyone from entering Islamabad in violation of the court’s orders and warned that contempt proceedings would be initiated against those who breach the judgment.
Naqvi said security personnel had also been instructed to respond if protesters opened fire at them.
He maintained that political parties had the right to hold peaceful demonstrations in their respective cities, but said attempts to enter another province by force would not be accepted.
Referring to the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the minister questioned the preparation for a long march while the province was facing frequent terrorist attacks and security personnel were being killed.
Naqvi urged the KP chief minister and his cabinet to devote as much effort to countering terrorism as they were putting into preparations for the march.
He also said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had repeatedly offered dialogue and that the government remained willing to hold talks.
The interior minister drew a distinction between political rallies and attempts by groups to enter Islamabad through force. He warned that organisers could be held responsible for any loss of life during such an attempt.
Naqvi said the federal government was fully prepared to maintain law and order in Islamabad and that the provinces had also been directed to make necessary arrangements.
He said the government would not allow a repeat of the unrest witnessed during previous protests.
The minister said he personally opposed placing containers on roads, but added that law enforcement agencies sometimes requested such measures for security reasons. He said roads might have to be blocked if a protest moved towards Islamabad, while efforts would be made to minimise inconvenience for residents.
Naqvi said Islamabad Police would ensure security across the capital, adding that more than 3,000 police personnel were unavailable, making assistance from other institutions necessary.
Meanwhile, Islamabad Advocate General Manzoor Ahmed said provincial inspectors general of police would ensure that the PTI protest did not proceed towards Islamabad.
He said government machinery would not be permitted to facilitate the protest and that officials violating their constitutional responsibilities could face action under the Constitution, including Article 5.
The advocate general further said government employees participating in the PTI protest would be held accountable.
The IHC has also directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government resources and machinery are not used for political gatherings and said violations affecting citizens’ fundamental rights could result in legal action