Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who has been missing from the public eye over the past week, issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday where he issued a warning that no “violent crowd” would be allowed to enter the federal capital.
“If a violent crowd is allowed this time, a more violent crowd will come up in next few months and grab power by force. We cannot allow this to happen. We would not let Pakistan become Somaila, Iraq or Libya,” Nisar said in a statement, issued after chairing a meeting of ICT and Rawalpindi city administration.
The minister was earlier scheduled to hold a press conference at 5pm in the evening, but that was cancelled at the 11th hour. Instead, he issued a press statement.
The wording of minister’s statement shows that the government does not seem keen to let the protesting parties enter the capital city. Security agencies reportedly informed the government that once PTI, PML-Q and PAT marchers entered the capital city, it would be difficult for the government to manage the situation.
To control the trajectory of protestors, the government has already placed containers to block off several routes. It is estimated around 900 containers have been placed on all entry points leading to twin cities and main roads.
Besides setting up containers, the administration has dug trenches on numerous thoroughfares to stop any one from crossing.
The minister further directed law enforcement agencies to post security details on all those entry and exist points, especially link roads, which protestors could use to enter the city.
“We cannot let loose in the federal capital those who are talking of breaking limbs of police and killing their own people,” Nisar said referring to Dr Qadri’s recent aggressive statements.
The minister asked the administrations of the twin cities to coordinate with each other. He added that it had been decided that no “unauthorised” person will be allowed to enter the red zone on August 14 and afterwards.
COMMENTS (12)
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Its an insult to those countries. They don't have polio.
@Syed, don't know where were you in 2008, when Zardari refused to reinstate the chief justice, but it was the first time in the history of Islamabad, that anyone put containers on roads, so Mr. Zardari led PPP invented this road blocking through containers, now the SOP is being followed by PML(N) as well.
So Mr. Zardari was no Angel as well.
@nusrat: As I dog owner, I take offense to that statement. Dogs are much kinder/loving/non-violent creatures than these people!
@Syed: Couldnt have said it better myself. Love him or hate him, Zardari is the king of politics! NS is a child in front of him!
he never mention Syria, he knows the chief evil Iranian regime is trying to create anarchy throughout muslim world
@nusrat: You said it, he had the opportunity to ask for the replacement/retirement of the leader. Now he should better make haste before the Americans closed their doors for the fugitives, which they did not hesitate to invoke against the Persian monarch.
Rex Minor
Why hasn't the government arrested TuQ ?? Can anyone take law in their own hands avid threaten policemen and their families??!
He is already under under pressure because the western media (not the weird Pakistani ) is saying that he is 'inciting violence'..
Some Pakistanis have already written to the Canadian High Commission to revoke TuQ's citizenship
How Asif Zardari handled it: Allowed the protesters to came, facilitated them with food fest and Rehman Malik personally assured Tahir ul Qadri that they can be there for as long as they want to be. Finally, after an awesome biryani and intervention by chaudry bros, whole thing fizzled out and Qadri had to retreat. Remarks: Well Played!
How Nawaz Sharif handled it: Ordered Police to crackdown and wreak havoc upon qadri supporters, Model town tragedy happened. Instead of investigating, started blaming PAT for violence. Instead of acting as a PM, he let his hawks launch vicious verbal attacks on virtually everyone who opposed NS. Through all this, qadri amassed greater support in form of grievances due to model town debacle, PTI gained enough space to get its long march more vibrant. And then anyone, who could have meditated from N League side was stonewalled while any other mediators such as chaudry bros were turned into enemy as well. Even sheikh rashid was able to muster enough support to gain high moral ground. Then they started throwing conspiracy theories i.e. establishment, gen. Pasha, foreign powers are behind this and then discussing politics in a National Security conference. Setting up the assembly line of containers
Remarks: Exceptionally bad mishandling of issues at hand, N league has lost the high moral ground, and has lost the battle before it even began
You see, only NS is the reason of his unbecoming in this whole scenario. He shouldn't blame anyone else for his incompetency to resolve petty issues and always relying on those whose IQ`s are less than Kardashians
Mr. Nisar it is already become Somalia, Iraq cox of NS incompetantancy and lack of governance skills. Your govt days are numbered. Sooner you guys leave lessor chance of big problems. Just remember that. Islamabad is not personal property of NS. You are responsible to maintain law and order. If NS govt does not start violence then there will peace.
Well, you and leaders have not done enough either to distinguish themselves from the leaders of the countries you don't want to share the fate off.