ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Saturday warned PTI chief Imran Khan that his “seditious” rallies won’t be tolerated in the federal capital as this page of anyone sabotaging, threatening or surrounding Islamabad has been torn away.
“The state is now rid of such threats forever. Imran Khan should correct his matters and refrain from creating rebellion and instability in the country. He should indulge in peaceful and national politics,” Sanaullah said while speaking to media here on Saturday.
“All the political parties in the country at the moment are on one side, trying to solve the ongoing crises, while Imran Khan is busy abusing everyone and playing the politics of hatred,” the minister said, underscoring the need for political consensus.
The interior minister also promised to use “fresh” and “updated” tear gas against PTI supporters ahead of the party’s rally in Islamabad’s Parade ground today — “if the need arises”— advising the participants not to give cause to such a situation.
His remarks come as preparations are under way for the party’s power show at the capital’s Parade Ground today. Former prime minister Imran Khan will lead a caravan from Rawalpindi to the venue in Islamabad.
His tear gas mention also follows the opposition party’s accusations that the Islamabad police had used expired tear gas against PTI supporters during the party’s May 25 Azadi March — the day former prime minister Imran Khan had marched onto the capital for “haqeeqi azadi (true freedom)” along with his party. The marchers were, however, stopped from heading towards D-Chowk by the police through tear gas shelling.
Later, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan had said that tear gas used on the protesters had caused irritation in the eyes only. “Expired tear gas shells were not used. No other chemicals were used to disperse the crowds on May 25.”
At a press conference today, Sanaullah said that the expired tear gas, which he claimed was bought by his “predecessors”, had finished. “Now they will get everything effective, fresh and updated if the need arises.
“But it would be better if they don’t create a situation,” he suggested.
The minister also lauded the Islamabad police for bringing the situation under control just through rubber bullets and tear gas. “I want to tell them that they didn’t just save Islamabad that day, but also democracy.”
At the beginning of his talk, Sanaullah announced an increase in the salaries of Islamabad police. “They had always demanded that their salaries should be equal to those of Punjab police. And we have finally accepted their demands in this budget.”
This will have an impact of Rs788 million on the budget, he added.
Sanaullah also revealed that payments of Rs1.2 billion to the families of martyrs, which were pending for the past four years, would immediately be disbursed as well.
Separately, a 100-bed hospital will also be built for the Islamabad police, he continued, adding that this was important because police officers risked their lives for the security and protection of the public. “I am thankful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who didn’t delay this project despite the current financial crunch.”
The minister further announced that the government had increased the ration allowance of Frontier Corps officers and it would now be equal to that of other armed forces.
“FC officers didn’t have any riot equipment and they would just help the police. So we have decided to give funds for riot training of 2,000 officers,” he added.
