Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi addresses the media in Islamabad on October 4, 2024. —Screengrab/Geo News The Home Minister says there will be no property damage to anyone. Naqvi said security personnel in Islamabad do not carry guns. The authorities have already implemented Article 144. federal capital.
ISLAMABAD: As leaders and activists of Imran Khan-founded political party head to the federal capital despite obstacles, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says everyone has the right to stage protests, but Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters said they would hold a protest demonstration. “Attacking Islamabad with weapons.”
“This is not the right way to do it and we will not allow this to happen,” the security czar said while speaking to journalists in Islamabad on Friday.
Amid the visit of foreign dignitaries, they are moving towards the federal capital with a large number of PTI workers.
Naqvi said the previous day he had also asked the PTI “not to hold any rallies for the time being.” The minister added that no one would cause damage to property.
He warned the PTI on Thursday against holding rallies as visits of foreign dignitaries, including the Malaysian prime minister, are planned in Islamabad.
Amid the anti-government movement, the former ruling party is holding protests calling for the “independence” of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister.
The protest coincided with the last day of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan and was held ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. Authorities have already implemented Article 144 and the Peaceful Assembly and Security Act 2024, regulating the holding of public gatherings in certain locations in Islamabad.
“The top leadership of the PTI should reconsider its call for protests (…) No one will be allowed to storm into Islamabad,” the security czar said while addressing reporters along with federal police officials.
At a press conference today, he said that while the security forces sent by the government did not carry guns, “you can see in the videos and photos that the people heading towards Islamabad are carrying weapons.” said.
“KP Prime Minister (Ali Amin Gandapur) is a Pakistani. He should think about what he is doing. He has the entire province under his command. He can protest wherever he wants. They should,” Naqvi said, adding that they have the right to protest, but that is not the right way to do it.
“My position is clear that they are attacking Islamabad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the interior minister said the government has taken several additional measures for the safety of foreign guests. “It was important to provide security for our guests.”
