'Law will take its course', Sheikh Rashid warns JUI-F protesters

Interior minister accuses JUI-F 'militia' Ansarul Islam of beating police personnel, disrupting law and order

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Thursday slammed Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), saying about 50 to 60 volunteers of its "militia" Ansarul Islam stormed Parliament Lodges in Islamabad and beat police personnel.

The statement came following reports of a clash between JUI-F workers and police at the lodges. Some reports said the personnel took MNA Salahuddin Ayubi away and beat another JUI-F lawmaker Kamran Murtaza.

“The opposition has resorted to other tactics because they couldn’t gather 172 lawmakers for their no-trust move against Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Rashid told media persons.

He went on to added that the said no-trust move was bound to fail, calling opposition leaders a "bunch of defeated people".

Commenting on the reports of the arrest of JUI-F MNA Salahuddin Ayubi, he said the lawmaker was inside the police station at his will and was not under arrest.

Also read: Over a dozen held as police storm Parliament Lodges

Reacting to the JUI-F chief’s calls to the workers to take to the streets, he said the law would take its course against those creating a law and order situation.

The minister confirmed arrests of 20 people of the “militia” involved in creating unrest at the lodges.

He further claimed police took action following a five-hour-long dialogue with the protesters and said, “They will be crushed if they took the path of violence.”

The veteran politician urged opposition to avoid creating a law and order situation, saying it could harm national security.

Concluding his presser, Rashid said the alliance’s no-trust move against Premier Imran is bound to fail.