FC, Rangers to be deployed around NA, lodges from March 20, says Rashid

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed announced on Thursday that Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers personnel will be deployed around the National Assembly and Parliament Lodges in the federal capital from March 20 onwards.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said that the city was to observe local holidays on March 21, 22 and 23 on account of the annual parade held on March 23.

He added that the decision to deploy the security personnel was taken in light of the charged political activities that are to take place in Islamabad in the coming week.

‘Political gandasa’

The minister for interior guaranteed full protection to the National Assembly and Parliament Lodges. He said the opposition will be provided security for its public gathering scheduled for March 25, adding that the ruling party will be holding its rally on March 27.

Read Elahi claims around 10-12 treasury MPs in opp ‘safe custody’

However, the minister claimed that after March 25, he will be taking out his "political gandasa" as the ruling party will get down to making the "right decisions at the right time’.

During the press conference, Rashid further claimed that "some individuals" were present inside the Sindh House and that people were engaging in horse-trading there.

“Those who make money by selling their conscience will not be successful,” he said, adding that “honest people stand together in difficult times. The umpires are neutral and the MNAs will decide whether to vote for or against the no-trust motion”.

The minister expressed his confidence in Prime Minister Imran Khan's success; “win or lose, I will stand with him,” he added.

'Opp sitting idle for three years'

Taking a jibe at the opposition, the federal minister said that it had been "sitting around" for three years and has only now decided to act.

He said the Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif has for the first time been exposed for calling for a national government after sitting idle for three years.

Rashid claimed that premier Imran Khan had become more popular due to the opposition's tactics.

Referring to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) letter calling on the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to investigate the Aseefa Bhutto drone camera incident, Rashid said that the PPP would soon claim that "it was the ISI who helped them get to the assembly.”

Read more Opposition no match for PM, says Buzdar

'Don't use police for politics'

The home minister said that he does not use the police force as a political tool, assuring that security measures were being taken in Islamabad to ensure the maintenance of law and order.

He also applauded the force stating that, “police work is the most difficult job in the world”.

He said that the police also need to be equipped with modern systems and paid better wages.