ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that the government will stop any attempt to enter Islamabad in violation of an Islamabad High Court (IHC) order, as preparations continue for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned September 27 long march.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Naqvi said the court’s detailed order had made it clear that no one could “storm” the federal capital. He warned that anyone violating the ruling could face contempt of court proceedings.
His remarks came as Pakistan faced another deadly terrorist attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with at least 16 people, including five police personnel, killed in an attack near the old Police Lines in Kohat.
Court order
The IHC on Friday issued its 37-page detailed order on a petition concerning the PTI’s planned long march and protest in Islamabad on September 27.
The court said any activity affecting the fundamental rights of Islamabad residents would amount to a violation of the Constitution, with those responsible liable to face action under the law.
IHC issues detailed order on petition against PTI's September 27 long march
It also stated that no political party had a lawful right to block roads and highways. Provincial governments were directed not to use public funds or resources for the march, while official vehicles and machinery could not be deployed to facilitate it.
The court further directed authorities to establish an immediate helpline for government employees who receive unlawful orders or are pressured to participate in a march, procession or rally.
It said public office holders who violate the Constitution or law could also be considered to have breached their oath of office.
Naqvi's warning
Naqvi said the government had completed preparations to deal with the planned march following consultations with all provinces.
“We have told all the forces to stop them by every possible means,” he said, adding that law enforcement personnel had been briefed about the situation.
The minister urged political leaders to hold protests in their respective cities instead of bringing crowds towards Islamabad, saying no city could be shut down or another province entered through force.
He said there was a distinction between political rallies and processions and attempts by large groups to enter the capital. Naqvi warned that organisers would be responsible if anyone lost their life during such an attempt.
He also called on the opposition to reconsider the planned mobilisation, saying confrontation would result in losses for both the political sides involved and the country.
Referring to the worsening security situation, Naqvi questioned the decision to prepare for protests while Pakistan was dealing with terrorist attacks.
“You are carrying the funerals of martyrs on one side and preparing for sit-ins on the other,” he said.
The interior minister urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to focus on combating terrorism and improving law and order rather than supporting a march towards Islamabad.
Naqvi also said he personally opposed the use of containers but added that law enforcement agencies had recommended them as a security measure.
Kohat attack
The press conference came hours after a deadly attack near the Police Lines in Kohat.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid said an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the area near the old Police Lines. Another suicide attacker later detonated explosives near the Special Branch building.
According to the police chief, seven armed militants entered the Police Lines compound after the explosions and engaged police and Counter Terrorism Department personnel in a gun battle.
Five cops among 16 martyred in Kohat police lines blast
Five police personnel and 11 civilians were killed, while seven militants, including the suicide attackers, were also killed during the operation.
The injured were shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital, where an emergency was declared. Rescue 1122 deployed 14 ambulances, rescue and recovery vehicles and more than 40 personnel for relief operations.
The Kohat-Hangu Road was also closed to traffic following the attack.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed condolences over the loss of life. The prime minister directed authorities to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured, expedite relief operations and submit a report on the nature and causes of the blast.