Naqvi vows action against 'saboteurs'

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday vowed strict against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI protesters who "attacked Islamabad and assaulted policemen" as well as those who ordered "acts of terror".

"An assault was waged which was being led by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief minister himself and it is before you the way they (protesters) inflicted violence on the police, I don't need to tell you," the interior minister said while addressing a news conference in the federal capital.

He was flanked by the federal capital and the Punjab police chiefs.

In his late night press talk, Naqvi revealed that 564 individuals were arrested during PTI protests, including 11 plainclothes personnel from K-P police.

Naqvi stated that there was an attempt to storm the capital under the leadership of the K-P CM with the intention of causing casualties. Fortunately, he said, no such incidents occurred and it thwarted their plans.

He explained that plainclothes officers from the K-P police participated in the protests, marking the first instance in Pakistan where police have been utilised in such demonstrations.

"Who ordered this? I assure you that whoever has given the instructions and has used the police, we will take strict action against them, submit the report to the prime minister after the inquiry and then action will be taken after that."

Naqvi revealed that 120 Afghan nationals were included in 564 individuals arrested till Saturday night.

He maintained that the protesters aimed to stage a sit-in until the SCO summit but the authorities managed to control the situation with great restraint.

Naqvi noted that certain elements appeared intent on inciting violence but the law enforcement agencies effectively performed their duties.

He said the police had evidence of live firing.

He said 31 Islamabad police and 75 Punjab police personnel were injured but had not opened fire on the protesters in line with the government's policy to avoid a loss of life.

Naqvi reiterated that all those involved, including Chief Minister Gandapur, would be strictly pursued.

The interior minister said the K-P CM was "crossing limits" and would not be allowed to go beyond a certain extent.

He warned that "those involved in the assault on the police, including the K-P CM and other individuals issuing orders for violence," would face legal repercussions. He assured that action would be taken against anyone implicated in the unrest.

The minister further stated that no leniency would be shown to those attacking police, highlighting that protesters used long-range tear gas and that "trained terrorists" were among the armed groups storming the capital.