Naqvi warns PTI against September 27 protest

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against proceeding with its planned nationwide protest and long march to Islamabad on September 27. The minister urged the party to refrain from what he called a dead-end street, stating the government would leave no loopholes in its response.

Naqvi made the remarks during a press briefing on Monday. He claimed that a majority of the PTI's own leadership was not in favour of the march, which aims to press for the release of the party's incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. The minister pointed to a recent Islamabad High Court (IHC) order as the legal basis for the government's stance.

Government cites court order

The IHC order, issued on September 14, explicitly rules that no political party or its leadership has a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas, and buildings in Islamabad. Naqvi stated the government would ensure the implementation of this court order if the PTI proceeds with its plans. He appealed to the party to adopt a different approach for the sake of its workers.

When questioned about a long-term solution to frequent PTI protests, the interior minister was unequivocal. "I believe this time we will find a permanent solution; we will not leave it halfway," Naqvi said. He later added, "As I am telling you, this time we will find a once-and-for-all solution. We cannot afford this every time."

Questions on Imran Khan's health

The briefing also addressed concerns about Imran Khan's health and his party's demand for his transfer to a private hospital. Naqvi stated that doctors had examined Khan the previous night, fulfilling that demand. He asserted that any further treatment would be provided strictly according to the law, not simply because it was being demanded.

On the potential for imposing governor's rule in the PTI-led province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi said all legal options would be considered by the prime minister in consultation with the law ministry. He was clear, however, that the party would not be permitted to shut down Islamabad for an extended period.

Information minister echoes warnings

Later in the day in Kohat, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reinforced the government's position. He declared that no violent group would be allowed to descend upon Islamabad, directly accusing the PTI of never holding peaceful protests. I cannot remember a peaceful PTI protest in the recent past, Tarar stated.

He accused PTI demonstrators of damaging state property, harassing women, and setting a metro station and trees on fire during past demonstrations. They should never even use the word 'peaceful' since they have never been peaceful nor can remain so, the information minister said.

Tarar also levelled allegations of corruption and mismanagement against the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He questioned where law and order funding was being spent, especially in the wake of a recent deadly blast in Kohat, and criticised Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for being absent from the province.

Economic cost and other matters

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb had previously warned that strikes, sit-ins, long marches, and road closures could cause an estimated loss of 120 billion rupees to the economy each day. Separately, during his press talk, Interior Minister Naqvi also commented on the campaign for new provinces, saying the issue was moving forward rapidly with increased public participation.

Naqvi concluded his warnings by referencing his statement from the previous week, following the IHC judgement, in which he said the government would stop anyone from marching towards the federal capital in every possible way.