Don’t cross red line, Naqvi warns PTI protesters

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warned PTI protesters against crossing the red line and cautioned them that extreme measures, including a curfew, could be imposed if necessary.

“We will not let anyone cross the red line. Even if we have to impose a curfew, we will,” the minister said during a press conference at D-Chowk in Islamabad.

The minister emphasized that the government would not tolerate the occupation of Islamabad.

“We will not allow the occupation of Islamabad. The government will be forced to take extreme measures,” he said.

The government proposed that PTI stage its protest in Sangjani to avoid potential clashes, but according to the minister, the party did not respond.

“We had told them to go to Sangjani to avert clashes. We had told PTI to meet the founder. But there is no response from the PTI,” he said.

The minister said that D-Chowk has never been approved as a protest site and that a foreign head of state is currently on an official visit to the federal capital.

Reiterating the government’s position, the interior minister issued a clear warning to the PTI: “Don’t cross the red line. We will have to take strict measures. If the red line is crossed and there is damage, we are repeatedly saying that we will not let anyone cross it."

"Don’t force us … we don’t want to take extreme measures,” he added, appealing to the protesters to reconsider their approach.

The situation remains tense as both sides hold their positions. Security forces have reportedly been deployed in sensitive areas, preparing for any potential escalation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vwtNza7EDY

In earlier media talk, the minister denied any backdoor negotiations with the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Naqvi said he did not hold talks with anyone. He however asked people to wait for a few hours.

He said the PTI wanted dead bodies, but the government did not want to do any such thing. He said the government was moving ahead strategically and anyone coming to D-Chowk would be arrested. He said thatthe  condition of an SP of the Islamabad Police was critical.

Naqvi assured the families of the martyred policemen that their sacrifices would not go waste. He said that those who gave the call for the protest were responsible for the death of the policemen and a case would be registered against them.

He said the government suffered huge losses and those responsible for these losses will be punished. He said that two policemen were in a critical condition.

He said the government could have responded to the firing from the protesters with bullets, but it chose to disperse these protesters through negotiations.

Punjab Police Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar said at least 119 policemen were injured in the November 24, 2024, protests.