No talks under threats, PTI protest won’t be allowed: Mohsin Naqvi

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Thursday that no negotiations were possible with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) under the shadow of threats.

At the same time, he declared that no PTI protest will be allowed in Islamabad during the upcoming high-profile diplomatic engagement.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Naqvi said, “We cannot permit any form of protest in Islamabad during these crucial days. The SCO conference was just concluded, and now a 65-member Belarusian delegation is arriving on November 24, followed by the Belarusian president on November 25. While protest is a democratic right, holding it in Islamabad during such events is inappropriate.”

Naqvi criticised the timing of the PTI protest, hinting ulterior motives. “The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and the PTI chairman met with Imran Khan yesterday. The public should question why protests are always planned at such critical times and who stands to benefit from these situations,” he asked.

The interior minister, while expressing his personal support for talks, admitted that no discussions were currently under way. “I believe in negotiations, but they cannot happen under threats. Deadlines only come into play when there is a mutual intent to talk,” Naqvi said.

He said that decisions regarding the potential suspension of mobile services due to the PTI protest would be finalised by tonight.

“We remain in communication with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on security matters, including ongoing discussions about terrorism incidents.

Also read: Section 144 imposed in Rawalpindi ahead of PTI protest

He said that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has requested the re-enforcement of 15 FC platoons to cope escalating security challenges.

He talked about the attack on passenger buses in Parachinar, where 38 people were killed.

On the issue of arrests during the PTI protest, Naqvi said, “Whenever there are protests and attempts to storm Islamabad, arrests are inevitable. Among those detained, around 20 to 25 out of every 100 individuals turn out to be Afghan nationals.”

Answering questions about Imran Khan, Naqvi distanced himself from the matter, stating, “Releasing Imran Khan is not within my authority. Multiple cases are pending against him, and only the courts can decide his fate.”

The interior minister also emphasised his commitment to upholding the judiciary’s orders. “I was summoned to the chief justice’s court today. Whatever the court decides, we will ensure full compliance,” he said.