Naqvi Urges PTI to Drop September 27 Islamabad Protest Plan
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to reconsider its planned September 27 nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad, as political tensions rise ahead of the opposition party’s mobilisation.
Speaking at a press briefing, Naqvi appealed to the party to change course rather than proceed with the planned demonstration. PTI has announced the mobilisation to demand the release of its jailed founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and to campaign for what the party describes as the supremacy of the Constitution.
Naqvi’s latest comments follow a stronger warning he issued on September 18, when he said the government would prevent attempts to march into and shut down the federal capital “in every possible way”. He also warned that violations of an Islamabad High Court ruling could result in legal proceedings.
The Islamabad High Court has addressed both the right to protest and the rights of other citizens. In a detailed judgment, the court said political protest is permitted subject to the Constitution and law, while activities infringing citizens’ fundamental rights would violate constitutional protections.
In an earlier ruling concerning the September 27 mobilisation, the IHC also directed provincial chief ministers to ensure that government resources and official machinery are not used for PTI’s march.
The government and opposition have nevertheless maintained some political contact. Express Tribune reported that Naqvi recently met Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, with PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also attending. Raja Nasir said only Imran Khan could decide whether the planned march would be postponed.
Preparations for September 27 have intensified on both sides. PTI is organising supporters for its mobilisation, while authorities have stepped up security arrangements in Islamabad. Dawn reported on Monday that more than 22,000 security personnel were expected to be deployed in the capital amid multiple protest calls, while containers were being positioned around highways and open areas.
The political environment has also been affected by detentions ahead of the protest. Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan was detained for 30 days under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, according to a Lahore deputy commissioner’s order. PTI has criticised the action and reported further detentions of party activists and members of Khan’s family.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has separately said widespread protests, sit-ins and disruptions could cause economic losses of around Rs120 billion per day. That figure is a government estimate rather than an independently established measure of actual losses.
With September 27 approaching, the situation remains fluid. PTI continues to prepare for its protest while the federal government is urging the party to reconsider and signalling that authorities will enforce court orders and security restrictions.
