Summary Nisar says IG Islamabad was not removed, he was granted leave on his own request.
ISLAMABAD: (Dunya News) – Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that the government could not remove containers unless Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) Chief Dr. Tahirul Qadri give written commitment that they will be responsible of any security mishap.
Speaking to a press conference in Islamabad today (Friday), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said that there were serious security concerns communicated to him by all the security agencies. He said that PTI and PAT had earlier given commitments that they would not enter the Red Zone, but they did.
Responding to the rumours about removal of IG Police Islamabad, Interior Minister told that the former IG had himself asked for a vacation which was granted. Another rumour was about poisoning of water. “Had we done anything like that, they might not have been dancing here all night long”, said Nisar. “We are providing water to people who are threatening to invade our houses and instead of thanking us they are blaming us of poisoning the water”, added the Interior Minister.
Nisar told that security threats were still there and were so serious that military intelligence agencies had conveyed the threats to him directly. “Nobody admits the fact that we have successfully provided security to these marchers for nine days so far”, Nisar said.
Interior Minister said that containers were for the security of marchers actually. “We allowed both the parties to stage their sit-ins wherever they asked for. Both of them signed the contracts. There were serious issues regarding it initially but when we stopped the convoys coming from KPK, they realized that there was no way other than requesting permission for sit-in”, said the Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader.
Nisar said, “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decided to allow the marchers to come forward and directed no use of force”. Nisar said that he wasn’t willing to allow the marchers into Red Zone.
Nisar said that Pakistan’s economy was getting hurt because of the unstable political situation of the country. “Two heads of states have already cancelled their visits to Pakistan. Two judges got late in reaching Supreme Court today because of these marchers”, he said.
Interior Minister said that he would not allow the marchers to enter into state buildings. “Your freedom ends where my ‘nose’ begins”, said Nisar. He said, “We are threatened by them of bloodshed. I want to make it clear that the bloodshed will be on their head in such a case because we have every right to self-defense”.
PMLN stalwart from Taxila said that containers had been deployed in order to secure the marchers. He said that the containers could not be removed unless Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri gave it in writing that the security will be their responsibility in such a case.
“Protesters say that they are being stopped. I ask them how they are entering this place daily then” asked Interior Minister.
Nisar yet again apologized for the problems that the residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi had been facing.
Interior Minister praised the lawyers for a successful strike throughout the country. He said that it was the first nationwide strike by the lawyers after ‘Lawyers Movement’ of 2007-08. He said that lawyers have proved that not only they were at the forefront during the movement for restoration of democracy but they are at the forefront for saving the democracy too.
Nisar said that the government was ready to have talks with both the parties.
