Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a stern warning to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Monday, cautioning the party against moving forward with its planned long march towards Islamabad. He emphasized that the government would rigorously enforce the Islamabad High Court’s directives and would not permit the capital or the country to be shut down for extended periods.
Addressing the media, Naqvi stated that the government had repeatedly urged PTI leadership to reconsider their confrontational strategy, advising them to avoid actions that could lead to irreversible consequences. He remarked that PTI still had an opportunity to change course and avoid a dead-end situation.
Naqvi further warned that if PTI proceeded with the march, the government would leave no room for loopholes or leniency this time. He also noted that most of PTI’s leadership were reportedly against holding the long march, and the government remained in communication with some party members.
In response to questions about the recurring protests and confrontations with security forces, the interior minister highlighted the government’s intention to formulate a permanent solution rather than temporary fixes. He asserted that this time, the approach would be comprehensive and decisive.
When asked about the possibility of imposing governor’s rule or other legal measures if a provincial government-backed group attempted to challenge the state, Naqvi confirmed that all legal options would be explored in consultation with the Law Ministry. The final decision would rest with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He categorically dismissed any scenario where protesters would be allowed to occupy the capital for prolonged periods, stating, “This time, it will not happen that they come here and the country is shut down for 10 or 20 days. That possibility does not exist.” Naqvi reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the Islamabad High Court’s order fully and faithfully.
Regarding PTI’s demand for former prime minister Imran Khan’s hospital transfer, Naqvi confirmed that a medical examination had already been conducted. He assured that treatment would be provided legal procedures but would not be based solely on PTI’s demands. He suggested that most of PTI’s requests had been addressed.
In response to a reported PTI leader’s comment about turning Islamabad into “Somnath,” Naqvi stated that such remarks would not influence the government’s stance or actions.
On the issue of rising petrol prices and inflation, Naqvi explained that domestic fuel costs are tied to global market trends. He acknowledged challenges in securing fuel shipments but assured that efforts were ongoing to maintain uninterrupted petrol supplies. He warned that due to global shortages, even petrol priced at Rs1,000 per litre could become scarce without sustained supply efforts.
Naqvi added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was actively seeking ways to reduce fuel prices and that the government was exploring multiple avenues to ease the burden on consumers.
When questioned about whether the government’s approach to PTI protests would also apply to Jamaat-e-Islami, which has called its supporters to Islamabad, Naqvi did not indicate any separate strategy, implying a uniform approach to all protest activities in the capital.
Addressing security concerns linked to Afghanistan, Naqvi mentioned a recent incident involving a small armed group among protesters, which authorities were addressing. He stressed that normalcy would remain elusive until Afghanistan took effective action against militants.
On the topic of creating new provinces, Naqvi stated that the initiative was advancing rapidly with growing participation from various sectors, including chambers of commerce, traders, and farmers. He expressed optimism that, with public support and divine will, new provinces would be established soon.
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