Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stern warning on Friday, stating the government will prevent any march towards Islamabad by all means necessary. He emphasized that those responsible for bringing protesters to the capital would be held accountable for any loss of life during the demonstration.
This warning followed a detailed 37-page verdict by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which ruled that no political party has the legal right to occupy public roads, highways, or government buildings. The ruling came in response to a petition challenging Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned long march to Islamabad scheduled for September 27.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Naqvi highlighted that the IHC’s decision leaves no justification for attempts to “storm Islamabad.” He added that anyone violating the court’s ruling would face contempt proceedings. “If anyone defies the court’s decision, we will initiate contempt of court actions first. Otherwise, no one will be allowed to proceed,” he stated, noting that provincial authorities have also been informed.
Addressing social media discussions about members of a particular tribe potentially coming to Islamabad, Naqvi differentiated between political activity and armed mobs. He urged citizens to protest peacefully within their own cities and provinces rather than disrupting the capital. “Peaceful protests should be conducted in respective provinces,” he said, stressing that Islamabad cannot be shut down or subjected to attacks under the guise of protest.
Naqvi also pointed to the ongoing fight against terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), urging focus on combating militancy rather than organizing protests, gatherings, or fundraising. “It is contradictory to carry the funerals of martyrs while simultaneously preparing for a sit-in,” he remarked. He suggested that if the KP chief minister approached counterterrorism with the same determination as for managing protests, terrorism could be significantly reduced.
Notably, at least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed and over 50 injured in explosions targeting a mosque inside Kohat Police Lines during Friday prayers in KP. Naqvi affirmed the government’s readiness to prevent disorder, stating, “We are prepared this time and will not allow the chaos seen in the past.”
The interior minister explained that the ministry’s role is to stop groups from entering Islamabad, and preparations have been finalized in coordination with all provinces. “If they intend to bring a group, we are fully prepared,” he said.
He appealed to opposition leaders to reconsider the protest decision, urging PTI to conduct an internal survey as many party members might be unaware of the march’s purpose. “They should act as patriotic Pakistanis,” Naqvi added. While personally against placing containers, he noted that law enforcement agencies require them when necessary. He also emphasized that maintaining law and order in KP is the provincial government’s responsibility.
Meanwhile, the Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) convened a meeting chaired by opposition alliance chief and Leader of the Opposition Mahmood Khan Achakzai. The joint opposition resolved to develop a coordinated political, media, and public outreach strategy to ensure the effectiveness of the September 27 protest.
The opposition parties agreed to expedite engagement with all democratic forces and to organize an All-Parties Conference (APC). The TTAP statement called for unity among democratic political groups to navigate the country out of its current crisis.
The meeting reaffirmed that the September 27 long march would be a peaceful, constitutional, and democratic movement. The joint opposition committed to continuing their collective efforts to uphold constitutional supremacy, parliamentary sovereignty, provincial rights, civil liberties, and address public grievances. They also declared that an unrepresentative government lacks the authority to divide provinces or reduce them to mere administrative units.
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