PTI protest: Govt warns of 'extreme steps' if KP CM Gandapur 'crosses more lines'

• Govt will not let them sabotage SCO summit: interior minister.
• Mohsin Naqvi says live rounds fired on police at Pathargarh.
• We're checking from where they got teargas shells, says minister.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur should not coerce the government to take extreme measures.

Addressing media in Islamabad, Naqvi said the KP chief minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers were already crossing the lines, and if they crossed any further, then extreme measures may be taken.

“Apparently, he’s not ready to back off from his ambitions [of storming the federal capital],” he said, in his remarks after development that unfolded due to PTI’s protests.

Police rounded up around 30 PTI workers for protesting in Islamabad as the authorities had imposed Section-144 (which bars political activities) in the twin cities to ensure security, ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)'s meeting.

Clashes also broke out between the law enforcers and party workers, with both sides claiming that the other had attacked them. Police fired tear gas at the protesters on Saturday in the capital as well as at the convoys trying to enter Islamabad, while the workers used slingshots to hit the law enforcers.

At the presser, the interior minister said the local administration had placed blockades at Pathargarh area, which the CM KP crossed with his convoy.

“Live bullets were fired on police there. While they have continuously been using teargas [on law enforcers],” he said, claiming that around 80-85 police officials were injured who were being provided the first aid or shifted to hospitals for treatment.

Naqvi said the authorities were checking as to from where they got the teargas shells in such a large quantity.

“Evidence have also surfaced that people were asked in the chats and groups to carry weapons with them,” he said, pointing out that people of Bannu and other tribal areas were particularly asked to bring arms with them.

The interior minister said the government would not let them sabotage the SCO summit, come what may.

Holding Gandapur responsible for all the crisis situation, he said, the “KP chief minister is leading the group that’s going to attack Islamabad”. And if they did so then no room would be left for negotiations, he added.

Contrary to their claims, he said, they were continuously attacking properties.

“Even if I stormed a city, I must realise that I will have to pay the price,” he warned.

Naqvi also said that Afghan nationals were part of PTI-led protests, which began yesterday in the federal capital.

“Just last night 41 Afghan nationals were arrested, while total 120 have so far been apprehended in 48 hours,” he maintained. 

On the arrests, he said it was an alarming matter because it was a different thing if local residents protested.

On the other hand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Adviser Barrister Saif said Naqvi was levelling baseless allegations of participation of Afghan nationals in the PTI protest.