Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned the government is planning a “once and for all” response to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)’s planned long march on Islamabad, stressing the country cannot be permitted to remain shut for 10-20 days due to demonstrations.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, he said the government is planning a “permanent” solution to the reoccurring threat of sit-ins in the federal capital. “This time, it will not happen that they [protesters] come and the country remains closed for 10 or 20 days,” he said.
“We cannot tolerate such a situation again and again,” he said to a question on the PTI’s near-annual protests. He said the government would fully implement the Islamabad High Court’s orders if the PTI proceeded with the march. “If they hold a long march, the Islamabad High Court’s order will be implemented in letter and spirit,” he said, urging the party’s leadership to reconsider its approach:
“Do not cause harm to yourselves and your people through the approach you are taking,” he said, noting the PTI leadership was itself divided over whether to hold the long march. He claimed many within its leadership did not want to proceed.
To another question on the hospitalization of incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, he said the government would provide medical treatment to him within the framework of the law. “Whatever is in the law for treatment, we will do it, not on their demand,” he said, noting Khan’s medical check-up was conducted just the previous night.
On the country’s economic situation and rising petroleum prices, the minister said he did not wish to discuss it, as fuel prices were surging in line with the global market. He noted the situation had triggered fuel shortages in several countries. “Given the situation that is going on, petrol will not be available even for Rs. 1,000,” he warned.
To another question, the interior minister also expressed optimism about the creation of new provinces. “I am hopeful that provinces will definitely be created and the matter is moving forward very quickly,” he said.