ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ashan Iqbal on Monday said that some conspirators want to create situations like Lal Masjid and Model Town.
Speaking to media, the minister announced an extension granted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the deadline for the eviction of a religious parties’ sit-in from Islamabad’s Faizabad Interchange.
Daily life in the capital has been disrupted for nearly two weeks by protesters belonging to religious parties, including the Tehreek-i-Khatm-i-Nabuwwat, Tehreek-i-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah (TLY) and the Sunni Tehreek Pakistan (ST), calling for the sacking of Law Minister Zahid Hamid and strict action against those behind the amendment to the Khatm-i-Nabuwwat oath – which had earlier been deemed a ‘clerical error’ and subsequently rectified.
“We will implement the court’s order,” Iqbal asserted, referring to an IHC order to the capital administration on Friday to evict the protesters by Saturday using “any means necessary”, with the help of the Frontier Constabulary and Rangers, if needed.
“The Islamabad administration did not conduct an operation against the protesters on my orders, because I do not wish for any unrest. I asked for an extension in the deadline so that we can find a solution,” he added.
“We are in talks with religious leaders and I believe we will convince the protesters to end their sit-in,” he said. “I am sure that in 24 hours or so, we will find a solution; there will be a breakthrough.”
He added that the IHC had earlier observed that there is a designated area for people to register their protests in the capital – the Democracy and Speech Corner. The IHC in a hearing last week had said that any citizen who wishes to exercise their right to freedom of speech must not inconvenience other citizens.
“They [the court] have given a judgement on this, and we have decided that in the future, no one will be allowed to hold a sit-in. The administration will be given strict orders not to allow a situation like this to develop in the future,” he added.
He said creating doubts about the finality of Prophet-hood law, propaganda on social media or religious hatred were not in Pakistan’s interest and it should be avoided keeping in-view the prevailing situation.
The minister said that the government was also trying to maintain the law and order besides avoiding any conflict and any encounter for ensuring the safety as well as security of the life and property of people in the country.
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