Protest can’t be allowed in Islamabad; Mohsin Naqvi tells Barrister Gohar Khan

ISLAMABAD: As the government aims to stop PTI’s November 24 protest, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has called Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar on Saturday to deliberate on the upcoming demonstration in the federal capital, the ministry statement read.

During their conversation, Minister Naqvi emphasized adherence to the Islamabad High Court’s decision, stating, “We are bound by the Islamabad High Court’s order. No processions, sit-ins, or rallies can be permitted under the current circumstances.”

The federal minister also briefed Barrister Gohar on the upcoming visit of the 80-member delegation from Belarus. Naqbi asserted the importance of a smooth visit for the delegation is a key reason for the restrictions on political activities.

The Belarusian President is scheduled to arrive on November 25, while, the high-level delegation will arrive in Islamabad on November 24 and will remain in the federal capital until November 27.

In response, Barrister Gohar assured Naqvi that consultations with other party leaders were underway and he would provide a final decision about the protest by 6 pm today, Geo News reported, citing sources.

The high court on Thursday directed the Islamabad administration not to allow the former ruling party to hold its protest in the federal capital, in adherence to the newly enacted peaceful assembly law.

The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024 empower the district magistrate to regulate and ban public assemblies in the federal capital, proposing a punishment of up to three years or/and an unspecified fine to the members of an “unlawful assembly”.