No protest allowed under IHC order, Naqvi tells Gohar

ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) gears up for the November 24 “do-or-die” protest in the federal capital, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has informed the party chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, that no gathering, sit-in or protest can be allowed in the city in the light of Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) order.

The minister discussed in detail the ongoing political situation in the wake of PTI’s protest call for today (Sunday) in a telephonic conversation with Gohar on Saturday.

“We are bound to follow the IHC’s orders, cannot allow any rally, gathering or sit-in,” the security czar told the PTI chairman.

The IHC on Thursday directed the authorities concerned not to allow the former ruling party to hold its protest in the federal capital, in adherence to the newly enacted peaceful assembly law.

The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 empowers the district magistrate to regulate and ban public assemblies in the federal capital, proposing a punishment of up to three years or/ and an unspecified fine to the members of an “unlawful assembly”.

Naqvi told Gohar that a high-level delegation from Belarus is set to arrive in Pakistan on November 24, while the Belarusian president will reach on November 25 for an official visit. The foreign delegation will stay in the federal capital till November 27.

Insiders said that the PTI chairman, after the meeting, asked the minister for time to have consultation with the party in this regard. “I will update you with the final decision after consultation,” he said while speaking to Naqvi.

Meanwhile, PTI’s political committee Friday night deliberated on the issues of cancelling today’s protest march, keeping the IHC orders in view.

According to some PTI leaders, who were part of the deliberations, majority of the committee members were in favour of calling off the November 24 protest march.

They were of the view that dialogue with the government should be given a chance. It was decided by the PTI’s political committee to present this option of cancelling the protest call and giving dialogue a chance to the jailed party’s founder Imran Khan for a decision.

Meanwhile, PTI chairman Barrister Gohar ruled out the possibility of postponing the protest.

Speaking on Geo News’ programme ‘Naya Pakistan’, Gohar said that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has been contacted not twice but once, and he did not talk to him till 6 pm.

He said that they were not heard in the IHC order, and this was not the final order of the court.

Barrister Gohar said that the call for protest can only be withdrawn by the PTI founder chairman. “There was no talk of postponing the protest in the political committee, we took every step according to the instructions of Imran Khan,” he added.

He further said that Naqvi did not talk about postponing the protest. The founder of PTI is on bail in all cases, we have no deal with anyone. If the PTI founder is released, even then negotiations would continue.

The PTI chairman said that so far our talks are not at such a level that there is any demand for release (of Imran). Pakistan’s eight motorways were closed, transport was closed, hostels were evacuated. If we were to achieve all this by protesting, the government did it, he said, adding that the people have the right to come and protest peacefully.

He said that Bushra Bibi has nothing to do with Toshakhana. Her statement is crystal clear, Saudis name was not taken by her. He said that Bushra Bibi will not participate in this protest, her health is also not good.

Meanwhile, in a bid to stop the PTI from holding a demonstration in the federal capital, the authorities have blocked all the roads leading to Islamabad from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Lahore, Murree and other adjacent towns and cities.

The Red Zone, including D-Chowk, in Islamabad has been protected and tightly containerised to secure sensitive buildings and Diplomatic Enclave.

“Islamabad would be protected from three sides – Rawat, Tarnol and Murree – with containers, while heavy forces would be deployed at Peshawar Road and Rawat,” sources responsible for the security said.

Islamabad has been, factually, separated from other parts of the country to maintain law and order during the visit of Belarus president and delegates.

Security arrangements are underway to block 33 entry points connecting Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of the PTI protest scheduled for today. Containers have been placed to restrict access to the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Key locations, including Faizabad, IJP Road, Rawat T-Chowk, Carriage Factory, Mandra and Taxila Road, have already been sealed with containers. Plans are in motion to completely seal all connecting roads between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with ongoing measures to block the cities at 33 critical points.

Large contingents of police and paramilitary have been deployed, specially at Attock Bridge, Taxila, Kati Paharhi, Sangjani, Tarnol, 26 number Choongi and Rawat T-Cross.

Public transport and metro bus services have been suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. All bus terminals at Faizabad have been sealed off with barricades. Metro bus services between IJP Road and Pak Secretariat have been halted with complete suspension in the twin cities on 24 November. According to staff, the metro service was stopped on the instructions of district administration.

All exams scheduled for today at the Allama Iqbal Open University have been postponed.

A high alert has been issued at the Polyclinic Hospital, including its emergency services. All leaves for emergency staff have been cancelled and ambulance services have been directed to remain on standby.

Due to difficulties faced by citizens, the police have reopened the Expressway. Routes from Khanna Pul and Faizabad have been cleared, and containers have been removed to facilitate local residents. However, roads will be closed again upon the arrival of protesters.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also visited the Police Lines in Islamabad on Saturday morning to motivate the police force. Addressing the personnel, he praised the Islamabad Police for their dedication and efforts to maintain peace in the capital. The event was attended by the Islamabad IGP, chief commissioner, DIG and a large number of senior officers.

Naqvi said that those who would try to enter Islamabad and reach D-Chowk with intention of breaching peace would be held according to the law.

The minister highlighted the importance of ensuring security in the light of upcoming high-profile visits, including a Belarusian delegation on November 24 and Belarusian president on November 25. He emphasized the need for the police force to work as a cohesive team to guarantee the safety of Islamabad.

He declared that anyone attempting to disrupt peace in Islamabad would be arrested and dealt with firmly. “This time, no individual taking the law into their own hands will be allowed to go free,” he said. Stressing the importance of officers safety, he remarked, “We value you and your lives immensely.”

Minister Naqvi instructed the officers to wear all protective gear, including helmets and safety vests, while on duty and to follow all precautionary measures. “We stand with you and will always support you,” he assured them. He concluded by stating that all necessary measures would be taken to maintain law and order and to protect citizens’ lives and property.

Meanwhile, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) issued a threat alert to all law enforcement agencies, warning them that extremist outfits could commit terrorist activities in major cities of the country.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received a letter from the Ministry of Interior to suspend internet service, the PTA sources said and added that the internet service would be suspended according to schedule.

Meanwhile, talking to Geo News, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to follow the directives of Imran Khan to stage the protest in Islamabad and said talks with the federal government would take place after Imran’s release. Gandapur said, “I will fulfill every order given by the PTI founder. I will act according to his instructions.”

Gandapur said that he along with PTI supporters would ensure their presence at Islamabad’s D-Chowk regardless of obstacles. The chief minister said the protesters would remain in Islamabad until all of their demands, including the release of Imran Khan and other detainees, were met.

He said that during previous demonstrations, the PTI members successfully reached Islamabad despite road closures.

Criticising the federal and Punjab governments for blocking motorways and highways, Gandapur said, “The government’s panicked response has led to unnecessary road closures, causing immense hardship for citizens.” He reiterated that PTI’s protests were peaceful and accused the federal government of inconveniencing the public by shutting down key routes. “Our movement is non-violent, but it is the government that is creating difficulties for the people by blocking the roads,” he said.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that there were no talks or negotiations being held with the PTI at any level.

“Sometimes they (PTI) say they will talk with the government, sometimes they say they will talk outside the government. All the news coming in this regard are baseless,” he said.

However, he noted that in compliance with the IHC order, the interior minister had contacted the PTI chairman only once, informing him that according to the court orders, any kind of protest, rally, public meeting or sit-in in the federal capital was illegal.

“I should make it clear that whoever comes to Islamabad to protest will be arrested, cases will be filed, no one will be allowed to spread unrest after the orders of the Islamabad High Court have been issued. Whether ordinary citizens come to protest or government officers and employees of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no concession will be made to anyone this time,” he made it clear. The minister also pointed out that the next meeting of the Promotion Board will also see which officers participated in the protests or sit-ins.

The minister said: “At least 37 bodies were dumped in Kurram Agency but the KP chief minister did not bother to go there. He wants to go to Adiala jail on a daily basis but he did not even go to Kurram and mourn the dead and injured.” Tarar continued that the KP CM did not go to Kurram and say that he wanted to solve the problem, conduct an inquiry so that peace could be established there.

He said that the responsibility of maintaining peace in KP lies with the police there. He insisted it was the job of PTI government to strengthen the police, equip them with modern equipment and strengthen the police institution by increasing the budget. The police personnel, he emphasized, should be trained on how to combat terrorism, whereas the work of police in KP is being done by the Pakistan Army and other security agencies.

“Our soldiers are being martyred there and police personnel there are coming to participate in protest with the chief minister. The bodies of civilians and soldiers have fallen, but you are coming to Islamabad because a person sitting in Adiala has ordered you not to let the economy develop. It is you who have carried out the May 9 attacks, written a letter to the IMF, you have done everything you can against this country,” he charged.

The minister said that officers and personnel of the Pakistan Army and LEAs in KP were sacrificing their lives every day for peace there. He questioned whether those personnel were making sacrifices so that the province could wage a war on the federation. He added that while the Pakistan Army personnel were being martyred every day, PTI is making the same institution of army a target of ridicule.

Tarar wondered why Bushra Bibi made a statement against Saudi Arabia now. “She is not a very educated woman, she does not even have experience in international relations, but these things are done so that Pakistan’s relations are damaged and development can be stopped. Apart from that, they have no other purpose,” he regretted.

Replying to questions, the minister said the visit to Saudi Arabia that she mentioned in her statement, she came with full of bags on her return from Saudi Arabia. “Today she has leveled allegations against the same host country. We are political people, call us whatever you want, but speaking against Pakistan and its friendly countries is not tolerable.”

He condemned PTI members for the disgraceful protest at the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him’s (PBUH) Mosque and questioned if they remembered Sharia when raising slogans there. He lamented the PTI had continually caused chaos and tried to harm relations with friendly countries.

The minister made it clear that no one will be allowed to protest or disturb peace in Islamabad and the strictest action will be taken. “Our foreign guests are also coming, whom we will welcome. Are you a political party or an enemy of the country? Now anti-nationalism will not work,” he contended.

The minister said that the grouping in their party has increased considerably. He remarked, “There are separate groups of ‘Nand and Bhabhi’. One group comes to talk to us, then the other says that Nand’s statement has dominated Bhabhi’s statement and the situation has changed. Now talk to us. This means that the situation has become worse than the third-rated melodrama of mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, ‘Nand and Bhabhi.”

The minister contended that the PTI aimed to create divisions between friendly countries, adding it is baffling that a protest is called on the same day a friendly country seeks to enhance cooperation with Pakistan. He continued that the PTI and Pakistan’s enemies share the same goal of hindering economic progress, as Belarus is Pakistan’s close ally, and preparations have been finalised to welcome the president of Belarus in Islamabad.

Tarar said Pakistan and Belarus were planning to jointly manufacture tractors and while the administration prepares to welcome Belarusian guests, it is also ensuring citizens’ security. He questioned can the system function effectively under such conditions.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif revealed that the majority of PTI leaders wanted the former ruling party’s planned demonstration in Islamabad on November 24 to be cancelled.

Talking to journalists, the defence minister said: “I can name those PTI leaders who wanted the sit-in to be cancelled.” The government has devised its action plan in connection with the November 24 protests by the former ruling party, he added.

The minister warned the PTI leadership against bringing armed groups to the federal capital. “If they [PTI] are bringing armed groups [to invade the federal capital], the government would deal with them in the same way,” he warned.

Taking a dig at the PTI leadership, Asif said that “they want to do politics on dead bodies. They wanted to take dead bodies to KP and make it an issue and the government wants to avoid it.” He warned the PTI that they should not take it as the government’s weakness.

Separately, speaking to a news conference here, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry condemned Bushra Bibi’s recent statement and regretted that whenever the country goes on the path of development, the PTI starts protesting and holding sit-ins. He said that ‘our enemies were not digesting Pakistan’s development and left no stone unturned to fail the SCO.”

The PMLN legislator said that the PTI people wanted to spoil the relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, knowing our trade relations with Saudi Arabia are moving forward.

Daniyal blasted PTI’s political decline and noted that Bushra Bibi’s statement laid bare the party’s internal chaos, where members are battling for control under a fractured leadership. He emphasized that Pakistan’s strong relations with Saudi Arabia remain unaffected, with recent agreements serving as proof that such statements won’t hurt these vital relations.

Reconciliation, he contended, is Pakistan’s strength and not a weakness and that protests must be held within the bounds of Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024. He made it clear that any attempt to disrupt Islamabad will be met with the same response as actions against anti-state elements. Referring to the 9th May incidents, he vowed that PTI’s new attempt to sabotage the Belarus president’s visit would fail, just as their disruption of the SCO summit did.

Daniyal said that full accountability for 9th May (incidents) would follow, including blocking the IDs and passports of responsible individuals. “Despite billions spent, PTI’s rule has left KP in ruins, with deteriorating infrastructure and lawlessness,” he claimed. He urged the nation to reject PTI’s divisive politics and work towards a united, progressive Pakistan.

Meanwhile, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram strongly condemned the government’s ‘open threats and intimidation tactics against young people, traders, teachers, students, transporters and government officials.’

In reaction to the information minister’s news conference earlier in the day, he emphasized that the nation would not be intimidated by threats and would not give up its fundamental rights. He claimed the peaceful protest would be a prelude to restoration of the Constitution and law in its true sense.

He emphasized that peaceful protest was a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, and the nation remained resolute in exercising this right despite the incumbent government’s incessant threats, intimidation and attempts to convert the country into a war zone through massive troop deployment and containerisation.

The PTI central information secretary said that the ‘courtiers’ were unleashed to target and intimidate people to deter them from participation in the ‘revolutionary’ PTI’s peaceful march. He said the government should bear in mind that 240 million people were fed-up with their self-centred and incompetent masters, who ruined the country economically, socially and politically during the past two and a half years.

He lashed out at the government for ‘taking away’ the people’s fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, trade, employment and communication, besides confining 240 million people to their homes. The PTI spokesperson made it clear that the undeterred and unfazed nation would come out in large numbers peacefully from across the country for achieving true freedom in total disregard to the threats.

Earlier, the PTI leadership decided that Islamabad march would be taken out on Sunday. The party also announced a peaceful sit-in at D-Chowk. “We will break all barriers and reach D-Chowk,” said PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram. He said the Constitution grants the right to peaceful protest. “We will not surrender under any circumstances. On November 24 the entire nation will take to the streets,” he added.

Also a meeting was chaired by Barrister Gohar at the CM House in Peshawar. The participants included Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, former president Arif Alvi, Shibli Faraz, Sheikh Waqas Akram and other senior leaders. During the meeting, the final decision was made to proceed with the Islamabad march.