Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi: IG Islamabad Granted Full Authority to Manage Protests

Handling the Protesters

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that IG Islamabad has been given unrestricted authority to deal with the ongoing PTI protests in the capital.

Key Directives

• The police are authorized to take necessary steps to maintain law and order.
• The government aims to avoid loss of life or public spectacle in the streets of Islamabad, especially with the President of Belarus visiting a mere kilometer away from the protest sites.

Concerns Over Tear Gas Use

Naqvi expressed concern about the country’s image being tarnished due to the use of tear gas.

• Cost Factor: Each tear gas shell costs 4,500 rupees, with supplies reportedly provided by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.
• Casualties: He lamented the deaths of three Rangers personnel and one police officer in the unrest.

PTI’s Changing Strategies

Naqvi accused PTI’s hidden leadership of causing disruption and deviating from initial agreements:

• Agreed Protest Location: PTI had initially agreed to protest at Sangjani but later shifted their strategy.
• Secret Influence: He alleged that a “hidden hand” is steering PTI’s decisions to worsen the situation.

Red Zone Protection is Paramount

• The government remains focused on safeguarding Islamabad’s Red Zone, home to critical institutions.
• Naqvi emphasized that PTI’s “secret leadership” has so far failed to disrupt this priority.

PTI Leadership Dynamics

Naqvi suggested an internal power struggle within PTI:

• PTI’s leadership appeared willing to negotiate but was overshadowed by the intentions of a single influential figure.
• Naqvi hinted at the possibility of betrayal from within PTI’s ranks, as leadership changes loom over the party’s future direction.

Conclusion

With tensions escalating in Islamabad, Mohsin Naqvi has urged all parties to act responsibly while reaffirming the government’s stance on maintaining peace and protecting critical areas of the city.