Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned PTI against its proposed September 27 long march, urging the party to refrain from proceeding with the protest.
He made the statement while addressing a press briefing. Naqvi’s remarks come as the party prepares for a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad on September 27 to press for the release of its incarcerated founder, Imran Khan.
“We have clearly told them (PTI) that they can never achieve anything through such drama, and I will say again that there is still time; they should not go into this situation,” he said, advising the party to “not enter a dead-end street”.
Naqvi vowed the government will not “leave any loopholes” in its response if the party went ahead with the protest.
The interior minister held that PTI’s majority leadership was not in favour of the march. “[However], if they do, then we have the Islamabad High Court (IHC) order, and the government will ensure its implementation.”
He appealed to PTI to adopt a different approach.
“Do not harm yourself and your workers,” he said.
On being asked if the government had any “long-term solution” to PTI’s frequent protest calls, the interior minister said, “I believe this time we will find a permanent solution; we will not leave it halfway.”
When asked why the government was reluctant to shift PTI founder Imran Khan to a private health facility — as requested by his party and family — amid concerns about his health, the minister said doctors examined Imran last night.
“If they demand that his check-up should be done at a hospital, then we did have one last night [..] we are already fulfilling the demand,” Naqvi said.
“As for the treatment that is prescribed under the law, we will do everything according to the law. But we will not do it simply because they are demanding it,” the interior minister added.
Naqvi, during his talk, contended that PTI’s senior leadership was not in favour of the march.
On being asked if the interior ministry will fulfil its role in the upcoming protests, he said, “This time, we will fulfil our role completely. As I said, it will be once and for all.”
When asked whether the federal government had any plans to ban the party, the interior minister reiterated, “As I am telling you, this time we will find a once-and-for-all solution. We can’t afford this every time.”
Naqvi was also asked if the government was considering imposing governor rule in PTI-led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). At this, the minister said, “Look, we have already made it clear to them that whatever legal options are available, the prime minister, in consultation with our law ministry, will utilise them.”
However, he clarified that the party will not be allowed to “come to Islamabad and shut down the city for ten days. That possibility does not exist”.
Naqvi also spoke about the creation of new provinces, saying that the matter was progressing rapidly and that public participation in the campaign had increased.
He said: “The new provinces issue is moving forward at a pace that we cannot even imagine. The way people are practically coming forward, whether they are chambers, traders or individuals, everyone is playing their role in one way or another. I am very hopeful that, God willing, and if the public wants it, new provinces will certainly be created.
“And as far as the movement for new provinces is concerned, I believe it is moving ahead rapidly,” he added.
Naqvi’s warning comes as part of the government’s pushback against the party’s proposed march.
On Sunday, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government would not allow any violent group to reach Islamabad or block roads, stressing that the administration would ensure compliance with an IHC order against disruption to public movement.
The IHC order, issued on September 14, ruled that no political party or its leadership has the “lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas and buildings in Islamabad”.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Sunday also warned that strikes, sit-ins, long marches and road closures could cause an estimated Rs120 billion loss to the economy each day.
Last week, following the IHC judgement, Naqvi warned that the government would stop anyone from marching towards the federal capital “in every possible way”.
The development also comes amid reports of a crackdown on PTI workers ahead of the September 27 march.
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