Islamabad: The Pakistan government has warned Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against indulging in any violence or unlawful activities at its November 30 rally in Islamabad.
“We will not tolerate any mob onslaught against instutitons of the state,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said.
The minister said, if necessary, the law enforcement agencies will start taking action ahead of the rally.
“They will act forcefully as and when it transpires that the rally organisers have aggressive plans,” Khan said, citing the storming of parliament and state television headquarters during sit-in protests by the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad in August.
The minister said government will not create any obstacles in the way of political gatherings in the capital but organisers will have to follow the procedure and get permission from the administration.
Khan said the administration will deal sternly with any violation of law and let no one create a law and order situation in the capital.
Nisar criticised Imran Khan accusing him of following an unconstitutional path to create chaos and anarchy in the country.
Addressing PTI supporters in the capital, Imran Khan said the government was nervous and afraid of the rally.
The PTI leader urged his supporters throughout the country to turn up for rally.
The party announced that people have donated five million rupees for the rally and commitments for another five million were made.
Dr Tahirul Qadri, PAT leader, who ended his party’s Islamabad sit-in last month and left for Canada, is due to return to the country on Thursday to resume his antigovernment campaign.
Dr Qadri has said the two parties were pursing their own course of action but had common objectives.
Both parties allege the 2013 general elections were rigged and had been pressuring Prime Minister Minister Nawaz Sharif to step down to pave the way for fresh polls after drastic electoral reforms and under new election commission.
Dr Qadri has also been demanding the resignation Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif over the killing of 14 PAT workers in alleged police firing outside the party secretariat in Lahore on June 17.
The PAT leader has rejected an investigation team formed by the Punjab government this week to investigate the incident, in which scores of people were also injured. He is opposed to the composition of the team.
