Mohsin Naqvi, the interior minister, said that although he personally favors discussions, none are presently underway since they cannot be conducted under duress.
Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Naqvi adamantly said that protests would not be permitted in the capital, saying, “protests are not being banned but we will not permit anybody in Islamabad during specific times, notably with significant foreign visits planned.”
Naqvi clarified that on November 24, a 65-member Belarusian delegation will arrive in the city, and on November 25, the president of Belarus would follow.
“During such important moments, holding protests in Islamabad is unsuitable,” he added, adding that although protests were acceptable in the countryside, they were not allowed in the capital.
The minister questioned why the protests were being held at this time, pointing out that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan had met the day before. “The public must decide who gets something out of these protests at this specific time,” he stated.
Furthermore, Naqvi reaffirmed that although he personally favors conversations, none are presently underway. “We cannot have negotiations while under duress. Only until the threat has been eliminated can negotiations take place,” he continued.
Naqvi said that decisions about whether to halt cell service in particular areas during protests will not be made until tomorrow evening. He also brought up the terrible killing of 38 passengers in Parachinar and said that talks with the administration of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were still going on over terrorism cases.
