Interior Minister addresses eroding situation in the capital amid protests

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, along with the Inspector General of Islamabad, made a high-profile visit to D-Chowk to assess the escalating security situation in the capital.

In a press briefing, Naqvi expressed deep concerns over the recent unrest and the alarming presence of Afghan nationals among the demonstrators.

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Over the past 48 hours, law enforcement agencies arrested 120 Afghan citizens, Naqvi informed, while questioning how the Afghan residents became involved in what appeared to be a protest by a local political party. He said, “If protestors are supposed to be our own people, then why are there Afghans present?”

He also spoke on the violent incidents during the protest, when the demonstrators reportedly opened fire on police forces. “This was no ordinary protest; police were shot at,” Naqvi said, confirming that 85 officers were injured in the clashes. He condemned the attacks, calling into question the motives behind the protests.

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Mohsin Naqvi also accused the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s convoy of this firing incident, which he said further intensified the already volatile situation. “There can be no discussions when our forces are under attack,” Naqvi said, adding that the government would not tolerate violence against the security personnel.