Govt to stop march on Islamabad ‘in every possible way’, says Mohsin Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday warned that anyone attempting to enter Islamabad in violation of the Islamabad High Court’s ruling on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s (PTI) upcoming march could face contempt of court proceedings.

Addressing a press conference, Naqvi said that the government would take measures to stop anyone from marching towards the capital “in every possible way.” He urged political parties to hold protests in their respective cities, saying there was a distinction between political rallies and attempts to enter the capital in large groups.

“If you want to protest, do it in your own area and city,” he said, adding that those organising such march would be responsible for any loss of life.

Naqvi said that the government had completed preparations to deal with the situation after consultations with all provinces. He also said the security forces had been directed to prevent any attempt to march on Islamabad.

The minister appealed to opposition leaders to avoid confrontation, saying the country was already facing security challenges and that further unrest would cause harm. He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should focus on maintaining law and order and that protests should be held within the province.

Naqvi also said that he personally opposed the placement of shipping containers but added that law-enforcement agencies sometimes required them as part of security arrangements.

The PTI has announced a march towards Islamabad on September 27. The IHC on Friday issued its 37-page detailed judgment in a petition concerning the planned march, ruling that political parties have a right to peaceful assembly but cannot block roads or infringe upon citizens’ fundamental rights.

The court also directed provincial governments to ensure that state resources, official vehicles and machinery are not used to facilitate the march.