LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: On Sunday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi ruled out holding negotiations with PTI protestors, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised that nobody will be permitted to sow discord in the nation.
Following the PTI rally, PM Shehbaz was briefed by Mr. Naqvi on the situation in Islamabad. He declared, “No one will be allowed to take any illegal course for causing instability in the country.”
The administration in Islamabad and the interior minister were praised by Mr. Sharif for “foiling the attempt to create chaos in the federal capital.” He also praised the Rangers, Punjabi, and Islamabad police for their contributions to upholding peace and order.
The prime minister sent his condolences to Constable Abdul Hameed Shah, who was killed during the protest while performing his duties. He gave the interior minister instructions to see to it that the fallen officer’s family was adequately cared for.
He claimed that the government’s top priority continue to be prosperity and economic development, accusing political rivals of attempting to obstruct the nation’s advancement.
“The world acknowledges Pakistan’s economic policies, but our political adversaries seek to obstruct the country’s progress.” However, he said, “No one will be permitted to instigate instability in the nation unlawfully.”
Naqvi dismisses conversation
Interior Minister Naqvi announced financial support for Constable Hameed’s family while ruling out any chance of negotiations with PTI demonstrators.
After the constable’s funeral, the minister addressed the media and promised to prosecute those accountable.
According to Mr. Naqvi, the Shaheed package for the constable’s family—which included a piece of land and work for his two sons—would be processed in the following two to three days.
Regarding KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Mr. Naqvi stated that the Islamabad police were looking for Mr. Gandapur and that he was not in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.
He stated that Mr. Gandapur allegedly fled through the main door when Rangers and police raided Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House on Saturday in an attempt to apprehend him. According to the minister, there were pictures showing Mr. Gandapur running.
“Neither they nor any other Pakistani institution has custody of the chief minister.” The raids were prompted by our concerns about his presence at two or three sites, but they are still erecting hurdles. The police would take the appropriate action wherever he is located, Mr. Naqvi declared.
Negotiations with people who had incited violence were out of the question, he declared, adding that those responsible would go to court. He declared that “we will not engage with those responsible for attacks if there is no possibility of a peaceful resolution” and that “the situation in Islamabad will soon be fully under control.”
He said that more information would be given later and that the KP chief minister was needed in relation to the events in Islamabad.
Imran and others are accused of terrorism
In the meantime, 200 party officials, employees, and attorneys, including PTI founder Imran Khan, were charged with sedition, terrorism, and other major offenses by Lahore police.
Three further complaints were filed against hundreds of PTI leaders and supporters for alleged violations of the Punjab government’s Section 144 as well as other related offenses.
In Lahore, police detained sixteen PTI activists and leaders. Ahead of Monday’s planned nationwide protest, raids were conducted on the homes of a number of PTI leaders in Toba Tek Singh with the intention of apprehending them.
Authorities detained around 1,000 PTI supporters in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including almost two dozen police personnel from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and filed twelve charges in these cities.
The arrests came after two days of violent altercations between PTI supporters and police during which demonstrators tried to march on Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
Even though the protests are no longer as intense, a small number of protesters assembled at Express and Kulsoom Chowks before being swiftly dispersed by police, who also made over 45 arrests. Similar demonstrations were put down by law enforcement in Koral, Tarnol, and Sangjani, among other places.
