Web Desk: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf against advancing on Islamabad, saying the federal government will adopt a long-term strategy to prevent repeated protests from disrupting the capital.
Speaking at a news conference in Lahore, Naqvi said the government could not continue to allow political demonstrations to bring Islamabad’s routine activities to a standstill. He said authorities would respond firmly to any attempt to enter the capital in violation of legal restrictions.
Naqvi’s remarks came as PTI prepares for a planned protest and march toward Islamabad on Sept. 27.
The interior minister said the government would not allow a repeat of previous situations in which demonstrations disrupted traffic, businesses and daily life across the capital.
He warned that anyone attempting to force their way into Islamabad would face consequences under the law.
Naqvi also said the government would establish a more permanent mechanism for dealing with protests and marches rather than responding to each demonstration on a case-by-case basis.
The minister said there was still time for political leaders to avoid a confrontation and urged them not to push the situation toward a deadlock.
He also questioned the objectives of the proposed PTI protest, saying the party’s leadership itself appeared divided over the decision to launch another march.
According to Naqvi, political disagreements should be addressed through political and legal channels rather than actions that could disrupt public order.
The government has also emphasised that demonstrations must remain within the limits set by the law and court orders.
The interior minister also criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its response to recent security incidents.
Naqvi said no provincial minister had attended the funerals of security personnel killed in attacks, arguing that political differences should not affect matters involving national security.
He said the sacrifices of security personnel should be treated as a national issue regardless of political affiliations.
Naqvi also expressed concern over the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and called for political differences to be kept separate from issues involving public safety and national security.
The minister said political disagreements were part of democratic politics but should not be allowed to affect the lives and property of ordinary citizens.
He said the government would take steps to protect public order and ensure that Islamabad’s residents and businesses were not subjected to prolonged disruption because of political protests.
At the same time, Naqvi said there was still an opportunity to prevent the situation from escalating and urged political stakeholders to avoid actions that could lead to confrontation.
Responding to questions about PTI founder and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Naqvi said Khan had undergone a medical checkup at a hospital during the night.
He said the authorities would facilitate any treatment required under applicable laws.
The comments come as political tensions increase ahead of the planned Sept. 27 protest. The federal government has signaled a tougher approach toward attempts to enter Islamabad, while PTI continues to prepare for its planned demonstration.
The immediate focus remains on whether the two sides can avoid a confrontation and keep political activity within legal and peaceful limits.
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