ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said no political meeting would be allowed at D-Chowk or F-9 Park of Islamabad, as such activities infringe upon fundamental rights of people besides inflicting harm on economy.
Addressing a news conference on Monday, the minister said a public gathering on April 24 in the federal capital would not be allowed and writ of state must be established.
The federal minister ruled out permission to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for holding party’s public rally at D-Chowk or F-9 Park in Islamabad. “This issue is not political or personal rather an issue of rights of citizens of Islamabad, security of important and sensitive buildings in Capital and it also relates to respect and image of Pakistan,” he added.
Nisar said he was open to meet or converse with PTI Chairman Imran Khan on the issue. He also appealed to all political parties to cooperate in maintaining peace of the city.
The minister recalled sit-ins of PTI and religious parties which caused losses worth billions of rupees to national exchequer, besides an expenditure of Rs1 billion on deployment of security forces to handle the situation during PTI sit-in. “Such a situation also causes suspension of mobile phone services due to which people and business suffer,” he held.
Mumtaz Qadri supporters turn twin cities into ‘war zone’
He reiterated that no sort of procession would be allowed to carried out in the capital city and said this issue would also be taken up with other political parties.
“This matter relates to writ of the government. We should let peace and sanity to prevail and sort out issues with dialogues. We should move forward from politics of objection, threats and rallies and should rather focus on resolution of issues,” Nisar said.
With regards to Panama leaks investigation, he said the probe into the matter was carried out after PTI Chief demanded for it and added the opposition demanded that the investigation should be carried out under supervision of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
He asked the opposition to clear the confusion whether they want the revelations of Panama Papers investigated through judicial commission or FIA.
“The opposition has proposed to have revelations probed through FIA so I accepted the demand,” Nisar said.
“Now I leave this matter upon Imran Khan,” he added.
