Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned PTI against going ahead with its planned September 27 long march. He urged the party to reconsider its position and change course before the situation escalates further.
Naqvi made the remarks at a press briefing in Islamabad, where he laid out the government’s stance on the upcoming protest call. His comments come at a moment when tensions between the federal government and PTI have been climbing steadily over the past several days.
Background
PTI has been preparing for a nationwide protest and march toward Islamabad on September 27. The party says the march is meant to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated. Caravans from various parts of the country, including a central convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have reportedly been organized to converge on the federal capital.
The announcement followed a ruling from the Islamabad High Court stating that no political party holds a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, or buildings while protesting. That ruling has become a central reference point in the government’s response to PTI’s plans.
Details
At the briefing, Naqvi said a detailed law-and-order meeting had already taken place to discuss how the administration would handle the protest call in the coming days. He said the federal government, working alongside provincial authorities, had completed preparations aimed at preventing protest groups from entering Islamabad.
He drew a distinction between peaceful political activity and attempts to force entry into the capital, saying parties remain free to hold rallies in their own cities and provinces. What the government will not allow, he said, is any attempt to shut down or disrupt Islamabad under the cover of protest.
Naqvi also referenced the Islamabad High Court’s verdict directly, saying it leaves no legal room for protesters to force their way into the capital. He warned that anyone who defies the ruling could face contempt proceedings, and said provincial governments have already been briefed and instructed to stop protesters from reaching Islamabad.
Quotes
Naqvi urged PTI’s senior leadership to reconsider the march altogether, saying the party should weigh both its purpose and the consequences that could follow. He also called for restraint on all sides, warning that any violence during the protest would harm the protesters themselves as much as it would harm the country.
Impact
The warning adds to an already tense standoff between the federal government and PTI ahead of September 27. With the Islamabad High Court’s ruling now part of the government’s legal justification, authorities appear set on a strict enforcement approach, including possible restrictions on movement into the capital.
For PTI, the warning raises the stakes around its decision to proceed. A march that goes ahead despite the court ruling and the interior minister’s statement could trigger legal action against organizers, while backing down could be read as a retreat under pressure.
Conclusion
With less than a week remaining before the planned protest date, both sides appear to be holding their positions. Whether PTI adjusts its plans or presses ahead will likely shape how the coming days unfold in Islamabad, and how the federal government responds if the march goes forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the current Minister of Interior in Pakistan?
Mohsin Naqvi holds the position of federal Interior Minister in Pakistan as of the latest government lineup. He has been the official addressing PTI’s September 27 protest plans on behalf of the interior ministry, including warnings issued during recent press briefings in Islamabad.
Why is PTI planning a protest on September 27?
PTI has said the planned long march is intended to press for the release of its founder, Imran Khan, who remains incarcerated. The party has organized caravans from several parts of the country, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, that are expected to converge before heading toward Islamabad.
What did the Islamabad High Court rule regarding protests?
The Islamabad High Court ruled that no political party has a lawful right to occupy public roads, highways, or buildings during protests. The government has cited this ruling as the legal basis for preventing PTI’s march from entering the federal capital on September 27.
