Capital shuts its doors for Afghan nationals

ISLAMABAD:

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Wednesday that Afghan nationals would no longer be allowed to stay in Islamabad, as the top police officer of the federal capital revealed that at least 19 Afghan nationals were among those arrested during the latest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest march.

Naqvi, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar and Islamabad police Inspector General (IG) Ali Nasir Rizvi, in their separate media talks, provided details of the crackdown launched against the PTI protesters on Tuesday night after their brief surge to the D-Chowk in the capital's Red Zone.

The PTI began its protest march towards the federal capital on November 24. However, it was brought to an end late on Tuesday after the authorities launched a grand operation against it. In the melee, the senior party leadership "escaped" from the scene, leaving the protesters high and dry.

The ministers categorically denied the PTI's claims of fatalities among the protesters in the action by the law-enforcement personnel in the federal capital. They challenged the PTI leadership to at least provide the name of a deceased.

Talking to the media during a visit to the site of an under-construction underpass in F-8 sector of Islamabad, Naqvi said that Afghan nationals would not be permitted to stay in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) after December 31.

"No Afghan citizen will be able to stay in Islamabad without an NOC [no-objection certificate]. Any Afghan citizen, who intends to stay in Islamabad after December this year, will have to obtain the NOC from the deputy commissioner's office," he added.

The minister stated that Islamabad had returned to normalcy after the end of the protest. "Islamabad has returned to normal," Naqvi said, adding that a comprehensive report would be submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the protesters.

Commenting on the claims of the PTI, Naqvi there had been a clamour that bodies were kept in so and so hospital. "Since the protesters fled, they are finding no place to hide out of embarrassment. I ask that if any of their people have died, please give me their names," he said.

He added that a search operation was still ongoing. He assured that strict legal action would be initiated against the protesters and their collaborators. He reiterated the government's commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people.

Information Minister Tarar also rejected the PTI's "false propaganda" about deaths of its workers, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad. "On the contrary, the PTI is the only party, which always remains in search of bodies to play the victim card," he charged.

Meanwhile, IG Rizvi, who addressed a separate press conference along with Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, also rejected the PTI's claims that lethal weapons were used by the law-enforcement personnel against the protesters.

"Only non-lethal weapons were used to clear the D-Chowk [on Tuesday night] and the adjoining areas from the protestors," he said, adding that an act of terrorism in the guise of the protest had been thwarted.

"Rangers and police were attacked yesterday [Tuesday]. The protesters opened direct fire. The protesters used Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)] government resources and used tear gas against the police in Islamabad," the IG said. "The protesters used all kinds of weapons on the police," he added.

"Terrorism was carried out in a very organised manner under the guise of protest. Highly trained Afghan citizens were also involved in the garb of the protesters. Terrorism will not be allowed under the guise of protest," Rizvi told the media persons.

The Islamabad police chief presented data about the protest march. He said that so far, 954 protestors had been arrested, including 19 Afghan nationals captured on Tuesday; besides more than 200 vehicles were impounded and 49 weapons of various bores had been recovered.

During the press conference, the IG also showed footages of the armed protesters, allegedly carrying different weapons, including Kalashnikovs, to the media. The protesters broke 164 close circuit cameras but "we have all the footage from other cameras", Rizvi added.

"Involving foreigners in this protest is terrorism. I'm speaking plainly; we will not allow terrorism under any circumstances. Enough is enough," the police chief said. "Seven cases have been registered under anti-terrorism laws against those who carried out this terrorism."

About the injuries among the law-enforcement personnel, the IG stated that 71 officers and policemen were among the injured – 52 of them on Tuesday. The financial losses incurred by the government because of the protest ran into billions of rupees, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Commissioner Randhawa said that the Afghan citizens who were brought to the protest were well-trained. "If any political party brings a foreigner, this is not a protest. The interior ministry is working on this," he said.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) rejected claims taking round on the social media about the death toll of the protesters or the nature of their injuries. It added that 66 law enforcement personnel and 36 civilians were brought to Pims emergency with injuries.

 

Meanwhile, Rawalpindi police while conducting a grand operation against miscreants involved in arson managed to arrest over 400 on Tuesday night.

According to a Police spokesman, a large quantity of arms, ammunition, wireless communication equipment and other items were recovered from their possession. Rifles and ball bearings were also recovered from the arrested accused.

The accused were involved in attacking police, vandalism and arson at various places, he informed.

He further said that around 800 miscreants were rounded up across Punjab.

Malfeasance is not acceptable under any circumstances and such elements would be arrested and brought to justice, the spokesman said.

The authorities concerned had been directed that there should be no compromise on the rule of law, law and order and protection of lives and property of citizens, he added.

He informed that City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani during a visit to various areas of the city reviewed security arrangements to ensure law and order.

The CPO was accompanied by SSP Operations, Divisional SPs, SDPOs, and other senior officers, who briefed him on the measures put in place for security.

CPO Khalid Mehmood Hamdani stressed the need to be vigilant and directed the officers and personnel to remain alert during their duties.

The spokesman said that over 6,000 police officers and personnel were deployed to uphold law and order across the city.

Senior officers were also present in the field, ensuring proper supervision and guidance. CPO Hamdani had warned that strict action would be taken against anyone disrupting law and order or violating Section 144, he added.