Nisar says constitutional and lawful political activities were okay as long as citizens’ lives were not put at risk
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Tuesday that no one would be allowed to invade Islamabad as this would set a precedent of violent gatherings every few months.
Presiding over a meeting with senior officials regarding the country’s law and order situation, the interior minister directed that the protection of citizens’ lives and properties be ensured.
Nisar made it clear that political activities in line with the constitution and law would be respected but no one would be allowed to invade the capital and paralyze the lives of the citizens. He directed the administration to keep a strict watch on the entry and exit points particularly the unfrequented routes to ensure peace and tranquillity in the twin cities.
The minister said that those threatening of “breaking the hands of policemen and slitting throats of law enforcers” could not be given a free hand in Islamabad. He said the country could not be allowed to become Somalia, Libya or Iraq.
While ordering that unauthorised people should not be allowed to enter the Islamabad’s Red Zone on or after August 14, the interior minister said 21,000 personnel of police, Rangers and Federal Constabulary would be deployed in Islamabad to deal with any untoward situation. He also advised the police and administration to cooperate and ensure that day-to-day affairs of the citizens were least affected by the political and non-political activities on the August 14.