ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal has claimed that the Islamabad administration took the decision to conduct the Faizabad operation on the orders of the high court.

Speaking on Geo News programme Jirga on Sunday, Iqbal said that the operation was headed by the Islamabad administration and the inspector general of Islamabad police. "I was not instructed to conduct the operation rather issued a show-cause notice over being a hurdle in the matter."

He remarked that he was in favour of resolving the issue peacefully.

When asked if the administration can bypass the authority of the interior ministry, he reasoned that the administration acted as per Article 190 of the Constitution, which states that "all executive and judicial authorities throughout Pakistan shall act in aid of the Supreme Court."

Explaining why the operation was stopped, he reasoned that the administration decided to lessen the intensity of the operation when loss of lives was reported, adding that law enforcing agencies are ordered to conduct operations during daylight.

Moreover, the media coverage of the event led to supporters of the protesters coming from Rawalpindi and the police could’ve been “sandwiched” between the two groups, he claimed.

'Loss of lives took place outside Ch Nisar's residence'

Speaking to Jirga anchorperson Saleem Safi, Iqbal said that the casualties on the day of the operation took place outside the residence of former Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. 

Protesters had entered the former minister's Rawalpindi residence on Saturday and set fire to the gate. A building and a mobile satellite van located near the residence were also set ablaze in the attack.

Nisar and his family remained safe as they were not at home at the time of the attack. 

Iqbal said that it was during this incident that the people were shot dead. He said that it was unclear who fired the shots but the deaths were unfortunate. 

The interior minister said that the Punjab government had launched an investigation into the incident.

On the intensity of the protests, Iqbal remarked that he does not understand what is happening with the people. “What way are we going? People are being incited to attack someone’s house.”

“We are all Muslims and we respect everyone and we have to overcome conflicts between people sects,” he added.

Iqbal explains why Zahid Hamid didn't resign 

Reasoning why Law Minister Zahid Hamid has not submitted his resignation, Iqbal explained that it is wrong to hold one person responsible for a bill which was drafted by a parliamentary committee.

"We don’t want to hold anyone accountable as yet and the report [being prepared by Zafar-ul-Haq] is currently under review," he said, shunning the rumours that the report has been completed. Zafar-ul-Haq was tasked with preparing a report over who made the 'clerical error' in the finality of Prophethood clause of Elections Bill 2017.

"If this was government’s legislation then it would be right to hold government responsible. But, members of all parties were present when the bill was being discussed," he reiterated his earlier claims.

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He added that if Zahid Hamid resigns over the issue then it will give way for the rivals of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to fulfill their agendas. "Today, these people have staged a protest, tomorrow someone else will with another agenda."

Interior minister said: "If you want to start this tradition, then people will demand resignations daily."

When asked about the resignations of Pervaiz Rasheed and Mushahid Ullah Khan, Iqbal said that there issue was not about their faith or religious beliefs but that they resigned due to a security-related issue. However, this matter is different and must be dealt with sensitivity, he added.

'Faizabad operation not conducted under my supervision'

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, while speaking to a private television channel, claimed that the Faizabad Operation was not conducted under his supervision.

"The Deputy Commissioner and Inspector General of Police started the operation on the [Islamabad] High Court's orders," Iqbal said. 

The minister further said that 'according to reports' six people have died.

"No one lost their lives during the administration's operation," Iqbal said, adding that he 'personally' did not want to take the extreme step. "The government will present its stance in court tomorrow."

The statement by the interior minister came amid continuing protests across the country that began on Saturday after police officials and paramilitary personnel cracked down on the Islamabad sit-in staged by a religious group.

Islamabad operation

The operation that had commenced early Saturday morning to clear Faizabad Interchange from protestors staging a sit-in was put on hold later in the day — suspended at approximately 2:30 PM local time, according to reports.

The situation, nevertheless, remained tense in the federal capital. Protests in various parts of the country also erupted after the operation started.

The protests are being held against the change in the finality-of-Prophethood oath in the law when the government passed the Elections Act 2017 last month.

The change — dubbed a clerical error by the government — was immediately fixed as an amendment was passed later.