Rana Sanaullah says decision taken to end Islamabad protest 'drama'

Rana Sanaullah, a senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader, said the government had taken a policy decision that no one would be allowed to enter Islamabad for a protest. He said the PTI had been conveyed a message that if force was used, the facilities it had received after May 9 would be withdrawn.

His earlier remarks also included a government position that formal talks could not proceed unless the PTI postponed its planned march. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar reacted to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s decision to suspend its long march, saying the party was avoiding the march and sit-ins.

Tarar challenged PTI to proceed with the long march, alleging that facilitating terrorists was part of the party’s policy. He also alleged that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was facilitating the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

The information minister further alleged that PTI was acting as a “B team” of the TTP and a “C team” of the Afghan Taliban. He also criticised Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, saying he appeared more like a commander of a banned organisation than a chief minister.

Tarar alleged that illegal mining was being used to fund terrorists and questioned PTI’s claim of being a political party. The government has previously said protesters would not be allowed to enter Islamabad if their activities involved disruption or violence.

Tarar had said the administration was responsible for maintaining public order and keeping roads open. The remarks come amid preparations surrounding PTI’s planned September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad. The government has maintained that disruptive or violent groups would not be allowed to reach the federal capital, while PTI has been seeking the release of its founder Imran Khan.