Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said some elements wanted bloodshed, but the government foiled their bid, 24NewsHD TV channel reported late on Saturday.
“Situation is under control. We have shown the utmost patience” the interior minister told the media at D-Chowk in Islamabad.
He added: “Islamabad came under attack and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was leading it.
“So far 564 protesters have been arrested and 120 Afghans are among the detainees.
“Eleven officials of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plainclothesmen were caught.”
He went on: “Islamabad police were fired upon. Police personnel were injured in the firing and one of them is in critical condition.
“Our effort was to avert casualties. That is why the police did not go for retaliatory fire. Those who wanted bloodshed could not fulfil their wishes.”
“The interior ministry has started an investigation and a report will be submitted to the prime minister.
“Anyone involved including CM KP will face the music.”
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In his earlier press briefing at D-Chowk, Mohsin Naqvi warned the PTI leadership not to disrupt the law and order situation ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
He stated that KP Chief Minister Gandapur has “crossed all limits” but continues to test the patience of the federal government.
Naqvi accused the PTI leadership of tasking CM Gandapur to disrupt a law and order ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit where international heads of state are set to arrive in Pakistan for the first time in years.
“He (Gandapur) will have to pay the price for his deeds,” said Naqvi. “I still urge the KP CM and PTI leadership to avoid clashes and not force law enforcement agencies into taking extreme measures.”
Despite repeated requests from the federal government to prevent escalation, Gandapur has ignored these warnings, according to Naqvi.
To counter the potential threat, the government has deployed police, Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC), and even called in the Pakistan Army to ensure peace and security.
“The government is unclear about PTI’s specific demands, but it seems their real aim is to sabotage the SCO summit,” Naqvi remarked.
He added that dialogue could only happen if Gandapur showed seriousness, stating, “Dialogue is not possible alongside attempts to storm the capital.”
When asked about the possibility of imposing an emergency in KPK and arresting the chief minister under Article 6 of the constitution, Naqvi responded that the president and prime minister are in close contact, and all political leadership has been consulted. The interior ministry will implement the agreed-upon strategy in due course.
In a concerning development, Naqvi revealed that Islamabad police have arrested 120 Afghan nationals in the last 48 hours, an alarming sign for the government.
Naqvi also criticized PTI protestors, accusing them of opening fire on police near Pathar Garh and using tear gas shells in large quantities.
He questioned how the protesters acquired the tear gas shells and pointed out that this was not a peaceful protest, as claimed by PTI. “Protestors are armed and have been inciting violence, while law enforcement remains unarmed. However, they are pushing the boundaries, forcing us to consider harsher measures to maintain peace,” Naqvi said, disclosing that 80 to 85 police officers have been injured and were shifted to hospitals for first aid.