‘No loopholes will be left’: Mohsin Naqvi warns PTI against long march again

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against proceeding with its planned long march towards Islamabad, saying the government would fully enforce an Islamabad High Court order and would not allow the capital or the country to remain shut for days.

Speaking to the media, Naqvi said the government had repeatedly advised PTI leadership against pursuing what he described as a confrontational approach, urging the party to reconsider its plan while there was still time.

“I would say even today that they still have time. They should not enter a situation or go down a blind alley from which there is no way back,” he said.

The interior minister added that if PTI went ahead with the march, “there is nothing this time where we will leave any gap or loophole.”

He said the majority of PTI’s leadership did not want to hold the long march, adding that the government remained in contact with some people associated with the party.

On Sunday night, sisters of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, Noreen Niazi and Uzma Khan, were arrested and transferred to Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore, according to family sources and officials. The arrests came a day after another of Khan’s sisters, Aleema Khan, was detained in Lahore under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law.

Government vows permanent strategy

Responding to questions about repeated protests and clashes involving security personnel, Naqvi said the government would seek a permanent solution rather than deal with the issue on a temporary basis.

“I think this time we will develop a permanent strategy. We will not leave things half-done or adopt an unclear approach,” he said.

Asked whether the federal government could consider governor’s rule or other legal measures if a provincial government-backed group attempted to attack the state, Naqvi said all available legal options would be considered in consultation with the Law Ministry, with the final decision to be taken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

He ruled out a situation in which protesters would be allowed to remain in the capital for an extended period.

“But this time, it will not happen that they come here and the country is shut down for 10 or 20 days. That possibility does not exist,” he said.

Naqvi also said the government would implement the Islamabad High Court’s order “in letter and spirit”.

Imran Khan’s hospital check-up

On PTI’s demand for former prime minister Imran Khan to be shifted to a hospital, Naqvi said a medical check-up had already been conducted at Pims.

He said the government would provide treatment in accordance with the law but would not act solely on the basis of PTI’s demands.

“If the hospital visit was their only demand, the check-up was conducted last night,” he said.

Naqvi added that, in his view, PTI’s demands had largely already been addressed.

Asked about a PTI leader’s reported reference to turning Islamabad into “Somnath”, the minister said such statements would not affect the government’s approach.

Petrol prices linked to global market

Addressing concerns over petrol prices and inflation, Naqvi said domestic fuel prices were linked to international market conditions.

He said the government was making efforts to keep petrol supplies uninterrupted amid difficulties in securing shipments.

According to Naqvi, the government had faced significant challenges in getting fuel ships out, with officials working on individual shipments to maintain supplies.

He said petrol shortages had emerged in some countries because of the global situation and claimed that without continued efforts to maintain supplies, even petrol priced at Rs1,000 per litre could become unavailable.

Naqvi said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was seeking ways to reduce fuel prices and assured that the government was exploring multiple options to bring the cost down.

Jamaat-e-Islami protest

Asked whether the government’s strategy against PTI would also apply to Jamaat-e-Islami, which has separately called for its supporters to reach Islamabad, Naqvi did not indicate that the government would adopt a separate approach.

The question came amid the government’s broader preparations to deal with protests and calls for demonstrations in the capital.

Afghanistan and security concerns

Naqvi also linked the country’s security situation to developments in Afghanistan, responding to a question about the possibility of armed groups accompanying protesters.

He said a recent incident had involved a small group that authorities were countering, adding that the situation would not return to normal until Afghanistan took action against militants, according to his remarks.

New provinces initiative

On the creation of new provinces, Naqvi said the initiative was progressing rapidly and claimed that various sections of society were increasingly participating in the process.

He cited chambers of commerce, traders and farmers among those playing a role.

“I am very hopeful that, if Allah wills and if the people want it, provinces will certainly be created,” he said, adding that the movement for new provinces was progressing “very rapidly”.