‘I will crush it’: Rashid warns PDM against turning rally into sit-in

Interior minister says show-cause notice issued to JUI-F activists to vacate Srinagar Highway in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the opposition parties are allowed to hold a public gathering in Islamabad “but if anyone tries to stage a sit-in he will crush it”.

His statement comes as joint opposition alliance, Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), is all set to stage its counter-power show tomorrow (Monday), a day after the ruling PTI held its ‘historic’ rally titled “Amr Bil Maroof” at Parade Ground in the federal capital.

The caravans of constituent parties of the PDM – mainly comprising Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) – are converging on Islamabad.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rashid said JUI-F was given permission to hold a rally in the federal capital and added that he had requested the opposition parties not to change venue or the nature of their public gathering.

The minister added that they have issued show-cause notice to the JUI-F activists to vacate the Srinagar Highway, saying that PML-N was already issued NOC [no-objection certificate] to hold a rally in Islamabad’s H-9 area on March 28 (Monday).

The interior minister said stern action would be taken against those found involved in blocking the roads besides registering a first information reports (FIR) against them.

Also read: Islamabad braces for back-to-back political power shows

“If someone tries to create hurdles, the administration will take action as per the directions of the court,” he warned.

Terming the opposition leaders as ‘gang of three,’ Rashid said they would never succeed in toppling Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government amid looming vote on no-trust motion against the premier.

“Imran Khan will emerge victorious… he will play till the last ball; you [opposition] will not be able to come into power,” he added.

He said the ‘corrupt politicians’ were trying to save their “ill-gotten wealth” by dodging accountability process.

“Today is a decisive day in Pakistan’s history and people, in huge numbers, are heading towards Islamabad all on their own. Nation is standing with Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he added.

The interior minister said that the public have rejected the “dirty politics” of the opposition leaders.