ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry has said that no proposal for a smart lockdown was discussed at a meeting chaired by the deputy prime minister.
Talking to the media on Tuesday, Chaudhry said the meeting discussed matters related to petroleum products, adding that a targeted subsidy was being provided for three months to users of three-wheelers and vehicles with engine capacities of up to 800cc.
He said public representatives were being assigned duties to guide people about government relief measures and other matters.
“Islamabad is not going to be shut down,” the minister said.
Chaudhry said that under a recent Islamabad High Court decision, the administration had been directed to ensure the movement of citizens remained unhindered.
He said leaders of any political party would not be allowed to occupy public places, adding that the administration was performing its duties.
The minister criticised those who, according to him, repeatedly march towards Islamabad.
He alleged that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had staged the most violent and disruptive marches, saying demonstrations were described as peaceful but later turned violent.
Chaudhry questioned whether anyone coming to Islamabad with the intention of changing the system could achieve that objective merely by arriving in the capital.
He also questioned whether the prime minister would resign simply because protesters approached his office and demanded his resignation.
The federal minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended invitations for negotiations on several occasions.
Referring to developments in Lahore a day earlier, Chaudhry criticised the scenes and described them as an example of political immaturity and disrespect for public office.
“You are the chief minister of a province; sometimes you sit on a vehicle and sometimes on a footpath,” he said.
Chaudhry added that all chief ministers were respected and that everyone holding such an office should maintain its dignity.