Govt knows how to establish its writ: Nisar

Says plan ready to deal with PTI rally on Nov 30

Shakeel Anjum
Friday, November 28, 2014
From Print Edition

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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Thursday said that the
government had devised a plan to deal with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insafs protest rally on
Nov 30 as the government knew well how to maintain its writ.

He reiterated that no one would be allowed to ransack state buildings on November 30 in the
name of protest in any shape and that no disorder or violence would be tolerated. The
government, when it so desires, can sweep the Dharni (small sit-in) by using a force of only 10
cops, the minister said.

The law enforcers will use force to counter the invasion. However, no hurdle will be created if
the rally remains peaceful, the interior minister said.

He was talking to media persons after attending the passing-out ceremony of Assistant
Superintendents of Police (ASPs) at the National Police Academy (NPA). Counter terrorism
instruments gifted by the UK and US to anti-terrorist squads were also handed over to them.

The situation on 14th August was totally different but now circumstances are different. The
government has decided to maintain peace by using all efforts and no one will be allowed to ruin
the law and order, the minister said and added that the power of government was always
effective.

The government is not scared to face the situation but ready to counter the lawlessness, he
averred.PTI Chairman Imran Khan declared that he would lead a decisive rally on November
30. On the other hand, the government is devising strategies on how to protect the state
institutions, and Ch Nisar Ali said that Article 245 was still in vogue and the army was deployed
to protect sensitive installations, which could be used if needed.

For protection of constitutional buildings, the government has made up its mind how to engage
the military to keep the protesters away from these offices on November 30, the minister said,
adding that the PTI had applied for permission to hold a rally but the government would decide
today (Friday) whether a rally would be allowed at the D-Chowk. The PML-N government
believes in democratic norms and the PTI will be allowed to hold a peaceful, political and
democratic public meeting, and peace will have to be maintained at all costs, Ch Nisar declared.

The minister clarified that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel and police forces had been
summoned from other cities to ensure the protection of government buildings and had been
instructed not to baton charge demonstrators. He said a mechanism had also been evolved for the
use of water cannons.

The interior minister said a three-tier security plan had been prepared for November 30 and the
FC, police and Rangers personnel would perform their duties to avert any untoward incident on
the day. Special training has been given to the FC and police to combat attempts of invasion,
he said.

Responding to a question, the interior minister said the countrys national security apparatus was
fully operational and several terror attacks had been foiled. He said terror attacks had witnessed a
decline since the launch of the military operation against the terrorists.

We will not allow the protesting people to enter the Red Zone. Nobody will be allowed to take
the law into his hands, he affirmed.The interior minister claimed more than Rs1 billion had

been spent on law enforcement agencies performing duties in Islamabad due to the ongoing sitins while this amount could have been used to counter terrorism.

Responding to a question about possible violence on November 30, Nisar Ali said the
government would limit terrorism on that day.We had some reservations on court decisions but
we followed the orders of the court. Police were targeted and tortured but they were facing
murder charges despite having solid evidences of innocence, he added.

Responding to a question, the minister said that Pakistan had nothing to do with 9/11 but it had
to suffer badly after that. Earlier, addressing the ceremony, Ch Nisar Ali Khan said that the
police had an important role to play with regard to the challenges being faced by the country
including terrorism. He appreciated the sacrifices rendered by security personnel in the line of
duty. He also expressed confidence that the police department would continue to work devotedly
to rid the country of terrorism and ensure peace and security.