PTI’s long march threatens national stability, Interior Ministry writes to provincial Govts

The Interior Ministry Thursday wrote a letter to all the provincial governments regarding the Long March and expressed a fear of state instability caused by PTI’s long march, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In the letter, the Federal Interior Ministry stated that no one is allowed to destabilize the state and the federal capital through forceful measures like a long march.

The letter stated that the federal and provincial governments should act in unison and follow the constitutional provisions. In this regard, attention is invited to Article 148 (1) of the Constitution, whereby the executive authority of every province shall be so exercised as to secure compliance with federal laws which apply in that province.

Moreover, as per Article 149 (4) of the Constitution, if there is any grave menace to the peace, tranquility or economic life of Pakistan or any part thereof, the executive authority of the federation shall also extend to the giving of directions to a province as to the manner in which the executive authority thereof is to be exercised for the purpose of preventing such menace, stated the ministry in the letter.

The letter also stated that the civil servants are bound to act as servants of the state and their actions should be subservient to the relevant constitutional provisions to ensure smooth conduct of relations between the federation and the provinces. There should be a defined way of carrying out protests as enshrined in the Constitution and enunciated in various judgements of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. It is equally important to ensure that no government employee be allowed to join any such protest.