ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wedesday warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of firm government action if it attempts to march toward Islamabad, saying law enforcement agencies will prevent the protest from entering the federal capital.
Speaking to a private TV channel, the minister said the government would use “every possible measure,” including tear gas shelling and road closures, to stop PTI supporters. “PTI will not even reach the limits of the capital this time, let alone D-Chowk,” he said.
Sanaullah added that while the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa might try to mobilize protesters from the province, Punjab authorities would not allow them to cross the Attock Bridge. “The shortcomings that remained last time will be fully addressed this time,” he remarked.
The minister accused the PTI founder of “waiting for chaos and anarchy” in the country, saying the federal government would not allow instability.
Commenting on dialogue offers, Sanaullah said the prime minister had invited PTI to join talks under the “Charter of Stability” in the presence of the military leadership, but the party had not responded. “If PTI is serious, it should approach the prime minister and request a meeting with its founder first,” he said, adding that political dialogue could follow later.
Sanaullah also criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi’s recent assembly speech, saying his tone reflected no intention of fostering stability in the province. “We have heard his first address, and there seems little hope of any positive change,” the minister remarked.
He reiterated that if Afridi genuinely worked for stability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the federal government would extend full cooperation.
