RAWALPINDI:
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said the government would allow Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to hold the November 30 rally in the capital provided it remains peaceful and within the parameters of the law.
The minister was speaking to reporters after laying the foundation stone of a Rescue 1122 office in Taxila. He said the PTI would have to give an assurance to the government that no road would be blocked or laws violated. “They are free to hold rallies, but their freedom should not infringe on others’ freedoms,” he said.
He also offered to resume the dialogue with the PTI if the party remains peaceful, adding that all issues should be resolved through talks, and not through threats.
The interior minister also rejected reports about Islamic State (IS)’s presence in Pakistan. “I repeat again: IS is a Middle Eastern organisation. It has no presence in Pakistan. I do not know why some people, only for the sake of criticising the government, insist that the group is present in Pakistan,” he said.
He said some graffiti cannot be a proof of terror group’s presence in the country.
Speaking about the event, Rawalpindi District Emergency Officer Dr Abdur Rahman said Rescue 1122 had catered to 2.9 million victims of emergencies across the province since its inception in 2004.
Khan appreciated the emergency service and directed the building department to complete the construction work at the earliest so the people of Taxila can benefit from the efficient rescue service.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 23rd, 2014.
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