Govt to thwart protest march of banned outfit at all costs: Interior Minister

Islamabad: Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad Friday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government will stop the long march of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) towards Islamabad at all costs.

While talking to media in Islamabad, the federal minister said that the government is taking all possible measures to ensure writ of the government. 

Revealing the fake propaganda campaign of proscribed organization he said that social media groups of TLP are being operated from foreign countries including Hong Kong, India, South Africa.

The minister said, “Supporters of banned TLP should go back and avoid taking law into their hands,” adding that, government will take all possible steps to ensure peace and tranquility in the country.

“We will stop the march towards Islamabad at all costs,” added minister.

Responding to a question about banned outfit demands, the former railway minister said that a resolution had been presented before the assembly. 

He further said that the whole world knows that French ambassador is not in Pakistan.

“Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and I will hold talks with the proscribed TLP," he said.

“Four police officials embraced martyrdom while over 70 sustained serious injuries, of which 7 to 8 are in critical condition,” stressed federal minister.

Rasheed further added that rangers are responsible to protect lives and property of the citizen.    

As per Article 147 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), Punjab police is being supervised by rangers for now and they have been given all rights to maintain law and order.

The article 147 is about Punishment for rioting, “Whoever is guilty of rioting, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both”.