Any anti-State long march in the future would be dealt with an iron hand, federal cabinet assured


ISLAMABAD, May 31 (SABAH): The Federal Cabinet has felicitated the nation on rejecting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s long march and lauded the law enforcement agencies on performing their duties efficiently.     

This was stated by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, while briefing media, along with Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mahmood and Prime Minister’s Advisor on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Chaudhry Qamar Zaman Kaira about decisions taken in the Federal Cabinet, which met in Islamabad on Tuesday with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in the chair.

The federal cabinet was also assured that any anti-State long march in the future would be dealt with an iron hand.

The meeting also took notice of Imran’s remarks in the buildup to his party’s recent march as well as his admission that some of the protestors were armed.

The interior minister also informed the meeting’s participants that the PTI’s Azadi March was an “anti-state conspiracy” and not a political activity.

He alleged that it was an “armed attack on the state” under the guise of political activity, and claimed that no law enforcement official was carrying a weapon at the site of the march.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the PTI utilised the resources of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government by assembling armed groups at KP House a day before the march, while the Gilgit-Baltistan chief minister attacked police personnel.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that he had directed the Interior Ministry and the law enforcement agencies not to carry any weapon at the venue of the long march.

The Interior Minister said PTI Chairman Imran Khan used resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in his march. He said it was not a democratic march and he has proposed the Federal Cabinet to allow registration of criminal cases under Pakistan Penal Code against those responsible for violence in the march and issuing inflammatory statement against the federation.

He said a committee has been constituted to review provocative statements of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Interior Minister assured that no one will be allowed to make a siege of the Federal Capital.

The interior minister came down hard on the PTI. State resources were used to further the political agenda of Imran Khan, he alleged, adding that armed police officials from KP were illegally added to the army of the “criminal gang”.

He went on to say that in order to further the “criminal political agenda”, polarise the nation and mislead the youth, this armed gang attacked the centre and headed towards Islamabad.

“When they were stopped at Attock, Mianwali and within Islamabad city limits, they opened fire at police officials,” he said, adding that the protesters also removed obstacles placed to deter them.

The minister went on to say that the party misled the Supreme Court and obtained a favourable order, which allowed them to stage a protest at Islamabad’s H-9 park.

“[The order] was implemented and we made arrangement for them to stage the protest but then that was not their objective. Their objective was not to carry out any political activity. Their objective was to enter Islamabad and spread chaos and anarchy. Their objective was to seize the capital city and make the government dysfunctional,” he said.

He alleged that all the protesters that gathered at D-Chowk belonged to “the same province” and had arrived in Islamabad a day before.

“We have marked all the buildings and hotels [where they stayed], we are noting in our report the details of where these people came from and where they stayed,” he said, adding that some also stayed at Parliament Lodges and KP House.

Rana Sanaullah claimed that police had only used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse protesters, asserting that they did not fire a single shot.

The minister said that he had proposed to the federal cabinet that permission be given for cases against PTI leaders.

He said the federal government would have to grant permission for this as it was the competent authority, adding that the cabinet had proposed a sub-committee to analyse the facts.

“If my stance has any weight, then the committee will inform the cabinet of its decision,” he said, reiterating that there was evidence to support the PTI’s true intentions. “I am hopeful that the case will be registered and this group will be prosecuted.”

“We have video proof from the Swabi jalsa where armed people attended the public gathering,” he added. “This is was a ‘fitna and fasad march’ and PTI supporters came intending to spread chaos,” the interior minister said. He added that a recommendation was made during the federal cabinet meeting that cases should be registered against these people.

Regarding speculations that Imran Khan will announce another long march, the interior minister warned that party members will be arrested on the same day they begin their preparations, “let them come and I’ll see how they cross barriers this time.”

Replying a question regarding ceasefire announced by banned TTP for indefinite period after holding negotiations with Pakistan in Kabul, Interior Minister Rana Sanullah Khan said that the people would have been happy after listening this question but no discussion could be held and details could be provided about these negotiations until and unless it has approval of the federal cabinet or directions of prime minister. Rana Sanaullah said that in past briefings were held in parliament regarding this matter and these things are for the betterment of the country and people should pray from Almighty Allah to move forward these things towards betterment.

Maulana Asad Mahmood said the government will not let anyone to harm peace in the country. He said writ of the state will be ensured.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said Imran Khan should keep it in mind that the law will take its course if anyone violates it.