Naqvi vows to block Islamabad march
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Friday that the federal government would take all necessary measures to prevent any march toward Islamabad, following a recent Islamabad High Court ruling that barred such gatherings. He said the authorities would file contempt of court proceedings against any individuals or groups that defied the court order and would deploy law‑enforcement agencies to enforce the decision.
Naqvi’s remarks came after the Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) called for a nationwide protest on September 27, including a march in the capital, to demand the release of party founder Imran Khan and to rally support for the Constitution. In response, officials from Rawalpindi and Islamabad prepared for a possible demonstration, arranging additional personnel, anti‑riot gear and detention facilities for activists. The interior minister described a “detailed meeting” with federal and provincial law‑enforcement agencies that reviewed the legal and security implications of the planned protest.
During the press conference, Naqvi emphasized that the Islamabad High Court judgment made it clear that any activity infringing on citizens’ fundamental rights would be deemed a violation of the Constitution. He warned that the government would not tolerate a “bullying” of the capital and that the authorities would act decisively if anyone attempted to march. The minister also urged PTI leaders to hold demonstrations in their respective provinces instead of targeting the federal capital, stressing that the state’s priority was to protect the lives and property of Islamabad residents.
In addition to the protest issue, Naqvi addressed the recent attack in Kohat, where an explosive‑laden vehicle detonated near a police line, killing 21 people, including 15 officers. He said security agencies were already engaged in counter‑terrorism operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that the focus should remain on fighting terrorism rather than organizing mass mobilisations. The interior minister called on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister to intensify anti‑terrorism campaigns with the same vigor as the planned marches.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly invited opposition parties to parliamentary talks, but Naqvi warned that the government would be prepared to use force if mobs threatened public order. He concluded that the authorities were ready to enforce the court’s decision and prevent any disruption of the capital’s peace and security.
