Sanaullah mandated to deal with political opponents

Federal Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah on Sunday said that 11 parties in the coalition government have given him the duty of dealing with political opponents.

Reacting to former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s statement, the incumbent interior minister said, “The one who said that ‘if we come next month, we will not return at anyone’s request’ ran away in ‘bloody chaos’.”

He said that those who brought the storm of inflation now want to avoid the wrath of the people by politicising it. He claimed that the one who was previously threatening the government had now resorted to making requests.

Terming Rashid as a “chapraasi (cleaner)”, he said that while his boss, former prime minister Imran Khan, “begs” former president Asif Ali Zardari, he threatens people. He termed the duo as thugs and political conmen.

A day ago, Sanaullah, while talking to a private TV channel, asked Imran’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to desist from spreading anarchy in the country.

He said that Imran was promoting uncivilised language among young children through his ‘long march’ and protest demonstration.

READ 'Law will take its course', Sanaullah warns Imran ahead of long march

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government had provided security to Imran’s party but the supporters of PTI tried to create a law-and-order situation in the Red Zone, he added.

He further stated that the government had made special security arrangements in the H-9 area for the public meeting of PTI after the orders of the Supreme Court (SC).

He added that Imran’s party workers entered the Red Zone and damaged public property besides burning the plants.

The federal minister said that police had registered cases against dozens of PTI supporters, who were found guilty of spreading disturbance in the federal capital.

The security personnel could take action and any untoward situation could have emerged after PTI workers attacked police teams, he added.

In response to a question about a call for a long march to be given by Imran in the next few days, he said that the government would allow a peaceful march but no one would be allowed to destroy the environment of the federal capital.

He also warned Imran’s party to avoid threatening national institutions to fulfil dreams of early elections.

He added that elections would be conducted after electoral reforms and in consensus with the coalition partners.