LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against proceeding with its planned September 27 march on Islamabad, saying the government was consulting the Law Ministry over legal options for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including the possibility of imposing Governor’s Rule.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the government would consider all available legal options and that the final decision would be taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He warned that the government would not allow the PTI to shut down the country for an extended period through its planned protest.
Naqvi’s remarks came amid a series of terrorist attacks in KP over the past 10 days. Six Pakistan Army personnel were killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists in Hangu on Sunday, while a day earlier, an explosion near a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines was followed by an armed attack that left at least 23 people dead, including police personnel.
The PTI has announced plans to march on Islamabad on September 27, with the party demanding the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The Islamabad High Court has issued directions regarding the planned protest, including restrictions on the use of state resources to facilitate the march.
Criticising the PTI leadership, Naqvi said none of its leaders or ministers had attended the funerals of security personnel killed in recent attacks.
“The situation in KP over the past 10 days is in front of everyone. There was a suicide attack on a mosque, and two or three other attacks besides,” he said.
“Our captains have been martyred, our soldiers have been martyred, our police personnel have been martyred — and we are preparing to march on one city,” the interior minister added.
Naqvi said the government would continue examining the situation and would take decisions within the framework of the law.