LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said the government will adopt a long-term strategy to deal with repeated protests, as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) prepares for its September 27 march towards Islamabad.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Monday, Naqvi said the government would not allow the country to remain paralysed for weeks because of demonstrations, adding that measures would be taken to prevent a recurrence of prolonged disruptions.
He said the government would fully implement the Islamabad High Court’s directives if PTI went ahead with its planned march. The IHC has ruled that political parties do not have a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways or government buildings and has directed that state machinery should not be used to facilitate protests.
Naqvi urged PTI leaders to reconsider their decision, saying the party still had time to change course. He also claimed that a majority of PTI’s leadership was not in favour of proceeding with the march.
The PTI has announced the September 27 protest and march to Islamabad to demand the release of its founder Imran Khan and call for supremacy of the Constitution.
Imran Khan’s treatment
Responding to questions about Imran Khan’s health, Naqvi said the government would provide treatment to the PTI founder in accordance with the law.
He said a medical examination of Imran Khan had already been conducted the previous night, adding that any further treatment would be provided according to legal provisions rather than demands from the party.
Petrol prices
Commenting on rising petroleum prices, Naqvi said domestic fuel rates were linked to movements in the international market.
He also referred to fuel shortages being reported in various countries amid the ongoing Middle East situation, warning that the global circumstances could create further pressure on fuel availability and prices.
New provinces
The interior minister also expressed optimism about the creation of new provinces, saying the process was moving forward and that he expected progress on the issue in the coming period.
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