Islamabad (TDI): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar assured diplomats on Wednesday that the government is fully committed to ensuring the security of Islamabad’s Red Zone, following protests by the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Speaking at a briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar defended the government’s actions, highlighting that despite efforts by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to engage with PTI leadership, the party had refused to comply with a court order barring protests in the sensitive area.
Dar detailed the government’s strategy to manage protests, particularly in the Red Zone, which houses critical institutions like Parliament, the Supreme Court, and foreign missions.
He pointed out that the government had enacted the “Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024,” which requires prior approval for public gatherings in sensitive areas.
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“Despite attempts by the interior ministry to mediate, PTI insisted on holding protests, including on November 24, coinciding with the visit of Belarus’s President, a move consistent with the party’s past pattern of disrupting sensitive events,” Dar explained.
He also referenced PTI’s 2014 protests, which had similarly disrupted high-profile visits, including that of the Chinese president, and reiterated that PTI had never apologized for the disruptions caused by its sit-ins.
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Dar further emphasized that, while the government values freedom of expression, it must be exercised responsibly to avoid lawlessness and ensure the safety of citizens and the diplomatic community.
He reassured that law enforcement had acted with restraint, using only water cannons and tear gas, and that security forces had been deployed to protect vital infrastructure, including the Diplomatic Enclave and Parliament House.
