ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to withdraw its planned protest on October 4, emphasizing the importance of maintaining calm during a sensitive period, as foreign dignitaries are set to visit the capital.
In a press briefing, the Security Czar stressed that protests are ill-timed when a foreign head of state is in the country, particularly with the upcoming visits of a high-level Saudi delegation and the Chinese President.
Naqvi, accompanied by senior officials including Federal Secretary of Interior Agha Khurram and IGP Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi, outlined the government’s stance on the matter.
“We are at a critical juncture in the administration of Islamabad, with significant international events on the horizon,” Naqvi remarked. The Chinese President is scheduled to arrive on October 17, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference.
The minister urged PTI to pursue political discourse without jeopardizing diplomatic relations. “Protest is a right, but it should not come at the expense of our nation’s honor,” he said, referencing past incidents that have affected Pakistan’s international reputation.
He highlighted the example of a minor incident during former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore, which has since been ridiculed.
Reiterating the government’s firm stance, Naqvi declared that there would be “no leniency” for those attempting to disrupt peace. He referenced the enforcement of Section 144 in Islamabad, which prohibits public gatherings without prior approval.
“If PTI insists on proceeding with the protest, they must comply with legal protocols, including reserving a venue,” he added.
The interior minister called on PTI leaders, particularly the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to reconsider their plans in the national interest. “These are not the right days for protests. We must prioritize Pakistan’s interests over political affiliations,” he asserted.
Naqvi confirmed that security measures were being intensified, with the deployment of police and paramilitary forces starting on October 5. “The police have made all necessary arrangements, and we will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our guests,” he assured.
In response to questions about the legality of the protests, IGP Islamabad revealed that preparations had been made to arrest individuals linked to organizing demonstrations. “Items intended for potential violence, including sticks, stones, and other projectiles, have been recovered from some protesters,” he reported.
The PTI had announced the protest to demand the “independence of the judiciary,” despite the ban on public gatherings in Islamabad, with plans to rally at D-Chowk. This announcement followed threats from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur against the federal government.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has also called for a series of protests across various cities, including Lahore, despite the new Public Order Act 2024, which mandates prior notification for public gatherings.
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