Will not let anyone hold Islamabad hostage: Saad Rafique

Federal minister for railways reiterates the govt is ready to sit with PTI chief and resolve issues

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique said on Thursday that the government cannot afford to leave Islamabad at the mercy of so-called revolutionists, who believe in creating chaos and bedlam.

“Certain quarters want to derail democracy and pave the way for other forces which will not be allowed at any cost," said Rafique.

Talking to the media outside the Parliament house, Rafique reiterated that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan is a politician and has the mandate of the people and thus, should adopt democratic ways of demanding rights while exercising his democratic right to protest.

“We are ready to sit with Imran Khan and resolve issues in a democratic and legal way and he should also behave in such a way,” he said.

“We know that the solution for every problem can come through negotiations and this is the method PTI should adopt to address their grievances,” said the railways minister.

Rafique added that Pakistan is a nuclear powered country and people should not make a mockery of the state at an international level by bringing their petty issues on to the roads.

“Whoever wants to hold a protest in Islamabad, has to give us the guarantee that they will maintain peace,” he added.

Further, Rafique advised Imran to stay away from retired politicians who want to make a comeback and misguide him to warp the system.

Talking about Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri’s allegations, Rafique said that he is provoking people and inciting violence, which was neither in the interest of the people nor the government.

“The government has made every effort to motivate Qadri to shun the provocative approach,” he said but hinted that the government may be at the end of its patience. “Now we will handle it as per the law.”