Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned the PTI that they should go to the Sangjani area and hold their protest there, as they will not be allowed to enter Islamabad.
“If we have to impose a curfew, resort to Section 245 (seeking the army’s assistance) or a third option, we will take it. This is why we’re saying in advance that we will take extreme steps if we have to,” Naqvi said in a late-night news conference in Islamabad.
The interior minister said there are people involved and they are trying to ensure that there is no loss of life, adding that the protesters have tried every opportunity to create bloodshed. “When they open fire, the response will also be in the form of fire,” he remarked, adding that the PTI was given an option to shift the protest site to Sangjani.
“But it’s been 24 hours since the offer, they have held two meetings in Adiala Jail (with Imran Khan) in this regard, and my information is that they have also gotten permission. We told them to apply for Sangjani and the DC will give a signed permission, so that these clashes do not happen,” explained Naqvi, insisting that no one has been given permission for protest at D-Chowk in the past either.
He remarked that he did not know who the party’s leader was, but the government had not received a final response to its offer.
The minister reiterated the president of Belarus was in town, which was an important matter in terms of foreign relations. “Do not cross the red line, or we will have to take extreme steps. Even if we have to impose Article 245 (seeking functions of the army), a curfew, or a third extreme step, we will go for it. It’s not possible that you bring 5,000 to 10,000 people and take over the city,” he asserted.
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Naqvi warned that they did not want any loss of life, adding that if the red line is crossed, the authorities will be compelled to take extreme steps.
“They have to decide whether they want to go to Sangjani or not. We have to inform the high court in the morning that had asked us to talk it out. We will tell them about our contacts,” he explained.
Naqvi stressed that the government was very clear, adding that whatever tactic the police have to use, the protesters will be stopped. “We are telling them in advance that if we have to take extreme steps, we will. We explained to them a lot that this is damaging. Just now, a Rangers soldier has been shot at Chungi No 26 and has been taken to the hospital,” he stated.
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The interior minister said that shots are being fired, and the response to this is also fire. “Do not compel us to take extreme steps. We have made them an offer. I think that there’s some leadership above Imran Khan also that has refused to accept [the offer],” he concluded.
In an earlier press talk a few minutes ago at D-Chowk in Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi clarified that he did not hold any meetings at the Ministers Enclave, as opposed to earlier speculation regarding the same. He emphasised, "I have had no meetings in the Ministers Enclave, and no negotiations are taking place."
He added, "Their aim is something else, and our aim is different."
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Naqvi reiterated the government’s focus on public safety, stressing: "We are protecting our people. Our effort is to save lives."
Referring to an alleged meeting between PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and PTI Founder Imran Khan in Adiala Jail, he suggested they were the party's internal matters. "Barrister Gohar held meetings in the jail. The PTI has its own internal issues. We are waiting for PTI's response," Naqvi remarked.
