ISLAMABAD: To deal with any unforeseen situations amid PTI’s upcoming long march in Islamabad, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that federal government will call in armed forces including Pakistan Army and Rangers to deal with participants of rally. PTI Chief Imran Khan, a day ago announced to start his party’s long march on October 28 (Friday), deeming it “far above” politics.

Party will enter federal capital by November 4, as shared by PTI leader Asad Umar. Supreme Court also rejected  federal government’s request to immediately stop PTI Chief Imran Khan’s long march to Islamabad, with Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial advising government to hold talks with former prime minister. “No one can be deprived of right to protest,” CJP Bandial said.

Meanwhile, speaking during a private channel talk show, Sanaullah said that government will take PTI’s long march and its participants head-on by taking all possible security measures for maintenance of law and order.

“Yes, surely we will call Army under Article 245 [of Constitution]. We will also call Rangers. Police and FC will form first line of defence and they will be armed with tear gas shells and rubber bullets to control mob. And if any weakness appears anywhere, Rangers and Army will be there to support,” Sanaullah shared. He resolved to defeat party at all costs. “Because success of this gang, God forbid, means defeat of Pakistan,” he remarked. Sanaullah also hinted at arresting PTI Chief and added that help from PML-N workers may also be sought if chaos ensues amid protests. “We will go to last mile. If he could bring people from entire country, we too can call people from entire country,” he said, claiming that number of protestors with Khan would not be over 15,000.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 27 2022

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