Naqvi warns of legal action against violators of IHC protest ruling

Interior minister says protesters will face contempt proceedings if they attempt to disrupt the federal capital

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday warned that anyone violating the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) detailed judgment and attempting to create unrest in the federal capital or any province would face legal action, including contempt of court proceedings.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had announced that it would march to Islamabad on September 27 to press for the release of founder Imran Khan. The party had been preparing a central convoy from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with caravans from other parts of the country expected to join before proceeding towards the federal capital.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Naqvi said a detailed law-and-order meeting had been held to discuss the call for protests in the coming days. The meeting also reviewed the internal security situation, with officers from other provinces and law enforcement agencies in attendance.

Naqvi said the IHC’s detailed judgment had left no room for any attempt to create unrest in the federal capital or any province.

He said all law enforcement agencies had been given clear instructions that anyone attempting to come out in violation of the court’s judgment would first face legal action in the form of contempt of court proceedings. “Secondly, we will stop them through any means possible,” he said.

The interior minister also referred to losses suffered during previous unrest and said weapons had been used against law enforcement personnel. He noted that discussions were taking place on social media about specific tribes and people belonging to those tribes joining the protests.

Read: IHC bars harassment, arrest of PTI leaders ahead of September 27 long march

“This time, we are informing our youth of very clear rules of engagement and there is no scenario that if you fire on them, they will sit quietly,” he said.

He urged political leadership to hold protests within their respective areas and cities but warned against bringing demonstrators to the federal capital with plans to shut it down or entering another province to carry out attacks.

“I want to request all leadership that they can protest, protest in your area, in your city, but coming like this to federal capital with plans to shut it down or going to a province and attacking it like this; this can be in no way permissible to you,” he said.

Naqvi also referred to the terrorist attack in Kohat, saying details of the incident had only recently been received. He said the country was fighting terrorism on a daily basis in K-P, and 90% of the government’s attention should be focused on countering terrorism rather than efforts to mobilise people, funds or transport for protests.

“So, especially after incidents like these, it does not suit you to, on one side, carry the funeral processions for the martyrs and on the other side, prepare for protests,” he added.

The press conference came after the Islamabad High Court this past week barred political parties, political leaders, provincial governments and public office holders from occupying public roads, highways, interchanges, toll plazas, buildings or other public places within or leading to the federal capital.

The court declared that no one had a lawful right to obstruct the free movement of citizens or interfere with their access to trade, business, education and medical facilities.

A three-member IHC bench led by Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the directives while disposing of a petition filed by citizen Waqas Ahmed. The petitioner sought directions to stop the PTI from organising a protest march in Islamabad on September 27. The court disposed of the petition, stating detailed reasons would be recorded later, subject to any amplification or elucidation deemed appropriate.

In its written order, the court directed all provincial governments, including chief ministers, to ensure that government resources, public funds, officials, vehicles, machinery and other equipment were not used directly or indirectly to facilitate any march, procession or rally heading towards Islamabad.

This story is being updated.