Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has firmly stated that no marches or sit-ins will be allowed in Islamabad, emphasizing that the directives of the Islamabad High Court will be strictly enforced.
In a media briefing, Naqvi warned that any violation of court orders would lead to legal action, with violators held accountable for any resulting damage or loss of life. He reiterated that the high court’s orders would be implemented “100%” and stressed that no protests would be permitted in the capital. “I want no shop, business, or road to be closed,” he said, underscoring the need to protect the daily lives of citizens from political unrest.
The minister also pointed out that, under the 18th Amendment, the responsibility for maintaining law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lies with the provincial government. He criticized the KP government for the situation in the region, saying, “Forty-one funerals have been held there, and now they are coming to Islamabad for protests. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government itself is assaulting [the capital].” Naqvi added that he would consult with the prime minister and act according to his instructions. He also confirmed that 15 platoons of Frontier Constabulary (FC) had been deployed to KP, leaving Islamabad’s security needs unmet.
Naqvi assured that anyone violating Section 144 in Islamabad would face strict legal consequences. He urged political parties to address their concerns through appropriate channels rather than through disruptive protests and sit-ins. “There is a forum to raise your voice—use it,” he said, questioning, “Why are you bent on destroying the country?”
He also dismissed any possibility of negotiations with those planning protests, stating, “If they are holding sit-ins and protests, then I will say there should be no talks. On one hand, they talk about protests, and on the other, they talk about negotiations.” Naqvi further clarified that he had no contact with PTI leadership, adding, “I have no contact with Adiala.”
