Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Wednesday that the government will not create any hurdles for Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in holding a peaceful rally on November 30 in the federal capital.
However, the minister said the organisers will have to follow the procedures and seek a prior permission from the local administration for holding the rally at the designated site.
“The government will facilitate the PTI in holding a peaceful public gathering but no one will be allowed to violate law at any cost,” Nisar told a news conference in Islamabad. “If anyone tried to violate the law or create a law and order situation, he would be dealt with accordingly,” he warned.
Nisar said PTI chief Imran Khan has developed a habit of suggesting new laws on a daily basis and blame various segments of society, including journalists. “It’s now for the people to decide whether they want to see the government work under the Constitution of Pakistan or the one proposed by the PTI chief,” he said.
Replying to a question, the minister said the government was ready to hold dialogue with the PTI but it would now be held after November 30. “Talks cannot be held in a threatening environment,” he added.
In case of any violent or illegal move, the law will take its due course, he added. “The police force is fully capable to respond to any untoward situation as it did on August 31.”
The minister denied Imran’s claims that 24 people were killed on the night of August 31. “There were only two deaths and according to forensic reports one of them was shot at with a pistol in the foot and the other was fired at from point blank range. The police were unarmed and therefore there was no possibility of firing from their side,” Nisar said.
Speaking about the inquiry into the Model Town tragedy, the minister said the government wanted the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to have confidence in the investigation.
The PAT wanted that the head of the investigating team should not be from the federation, Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan and only from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the government is willing to talk with the PAT on this matter too, he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2014.
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It will be peaceful like when they attacked Parliment. It will be peaceful like when they attacked PTV. It will be peaceful until they have a Multan Stampede again. PTI is only Peacefully Trying to Intrude.
Offcourse it'll be peaceful, its PMLN which keep pets like Gullu Butt for such situations.