Sana warns PTI against chaos during power show

Says stern measures will be taken if protesters resort to violence, blackmailing

FAISALABAD:

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Monday warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf of the "worst repercussions", saying that stern measures would be taken if its protesters resorted to violence, created chaos or indulged in blackmailing during its power show on August 13 at Lahore's Hockey Ground.

"Remember that you will be allowed to hold peaceful protests as it is your constitutional right but if you use violence or threaten and blackmail [the government] then there will be repercussions worse than May 25. We are prepared for it," the interior minister said while talking to media persons here.

The PTI had taken out a long march to the capital earlier this year during which its supporters dislodged containers placed to stop their advances and braved tear-gas shelling to reach the venue in Islamabad.

Talking to media persons in Faisalabad, Sanaullah said former prime minister Imran Khan was constantly changing his plans, which was reflective of the fact that he himself was unsure of what to do next.

"Now, he has called a jalsa and said that an ultimatum will be given. Ultimatum for what? To call elections? But what happened about your threats regarding removing the chief election commissioner (CEC)?” the minister asked.

Read PTI set to stage 'grand power show' in Islamabad on eve of Independence Day

"First, remove the CEC, dissolve assemblies in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, get your resignations accepted [from the National Assembly] and then talk about elections," Sanaullah said.

He reiterated that holding protests was every person's constitutional and democratic right. But “we will not allow any person or party to create inconvenience at any cost”.

On the negative social media campaign regarding the tragic incident of the army helicopter crash amid flood-relief operation in Balochistan, the minister said: “The army's role in the country's protection, whether it is related to national security or natural disaster, is honourable.

"Today, I want to clarify that in this nation of 22 billion people, you won't find one person who doesn't love the army or doesn't respect its sacrifices."

Sanaullah said, "I believe that those who create these trends have been led astray. And I have said this multiple times that this man, who is the head of the PTI, is misleading the nation and dividing the youth."

He warned that if the PTI chairman was not rejected, he would "mislead the nation towards an untoward situation".

The minister added that the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) verdict in the prohibited funding case had proven that Imran was a "foreign agent" and responsible for creating "chaos and anarchy" in the country.

He promised that all the people responsible for misleading the nation would be punished. "We have formed two committees in the FIA. One will initiate an inquiry against the hateful comments against the military and the other will probe foreign funding.”

He made a promise to book and arrest every person named in the inquiry.