Lahore: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that the party is once again preparing to march towards the federal capital, urging its leadership to reconsider any move that could violate the law.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, the interior minister said that marching on Islamabad would achieve nothing and that the government would not allow the country to be paralysed as it had been during previous protests. He warned that those who violated the law would face strict action.
Naqvi further claimed that a majority of PTI’s senior leadership was not in favour of the planned long march. He advised the party not to enter a “dead-end street” from which there would be no way back. According to him, such tactics could not achieve any political objective, while the government had prepared a comprehensive strategy to deal with the situation.
The interior minister also urged PTI leaders not to put the future of their workers at risk. He said making exaggerated claims would not change the realities on the ground and warned that no shortage would be allowed in security arrangements if the party proceeded with its long march.
Naqvi said that if PTI workers came to Islamabad to stage a sit-in, they would have to remain within the bounds of the law and that the Islamabad High Court’s orders would be fully implemented. He also remarked that even PTI leaders were unclear about what their actual demand was.
Regarding medical facilities for PTI founder Imran Khan, Naqvi said Khan had undergone a medical examination the previous night. He maintained that all necessary measures for Khan’s treatment were being taken in accordance with the law, adding that the government would not act under pressure or at anyone’s request. He also advised PTI leaders to avoid unnecessary statements on the matter.
Commenting on the incident in Hangu, Naqvi expressed deep concern over the absence of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and members of the provincial cabinet from the funerals of the victims. He said political differences were a separate matter, but such an absence was difficult to understand.
On petroleum prices and other national issues, the interior minister said changes in petrol prices were directly linked to international market rates.
Naqvi also claimed that there was strong public support for the creation of new provinces and said important developments on the matter could be witnessed in the coming days.
