ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah has warned the provincial governments against supporting the long march of former prime minister Imran Khan which he claimed would violate the Constitution and there would be consequences of supporting the march.
“The Constitution gives power to the federal government and I would ask cabinet and prime minister to use it in case of such situation,” he said while hinting towards imposition of governor’s rule without specifically naming so.
Lashing out at the deposed premier for misleading the people and dividing the nation, the minister said that Imran is trying to malign the state institutions.
Regarding the law and order situation of the federal capital Islamabad, he said that all are equal before the law and no one will be allowed to take the law into his hands.
To a question about legislation related to transgender persons, Rana Sanaullah said that everything should be decided according to the religion which guides us on all matters. “We are Muslims first and everything comes later. We would have to regulate our lives according to Islam and religious scholars would be consulted on this issue.”
To a question about the closure of roads in Islamabad, he said that D-Chowk has been closed due to the protest of farmers. He said that negotiations would be conducted with the leadership of farmers and their demands would be considered.
He said that protesting farmers could be provided with an appropriate place to stage their protest. However, he added that they couldn’t be allowed to come to D-Chowk for protest.
Strong action would be taken against participants of the PTI long march if they attempt to come towards D-Chowk. The protesters can gather at F-9 park or some other place as the apex court has already provided guidance in this regard. However, he warned, strong action would be taken in case of any attempt to come towards D-Chowk.
He criticised Imran Khan’s attitude, saying that no one could negotiate with him as he has an “incredible personality”. Talking about the Toshakhana case against Imran, he said that the ousted premier had been involved in embezzlement and received an amount of around Rs260 million by selling gifts in the market.
He criticised the PTI chief for an out-of-court settlement made in a case of over Rs50 billion laundering by the previous government, as there was no clue who had signed this agreement. He said that amount of Rs50 billion of Bahria Town was confiscated which had been transferred against the law and returned against the donation of land for Al-Qadir trust.
Addressing the seminar titled “High-level consultation on Human Trafficking in Persons” organised jointly by the Federal Investigation Agency and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the interior minister said that the incumbent government is committed to eliminate human trafficking and coordination among federal government and provinces is imperative to end it from the society.
The federal minister also expressed the government’s resolve that it is taking concrete steps to bring down the ratio of human trafficking to zero level.
