PTI long marchers to get no leniency: minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Atta Tarar said that the government position on protests is clear and rallies in Islamabad will not be allowed in any case.

“The court order is clear so protests will not be allowed anywhere in Islamabad,” Tarar remarked. “The government will not be soft on the issue and it will not accept any demands under pressure,” he stressed.

The federal minister said discussions were underway with opposition leaders but insisted the bill will apply equally to all.

He maintained that no PTI demonstration will be allowed in the federal capital.

Tarar on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa situation said it was the province government’s obligation to preserve law and order.

He criticized the chief minister on the Kohat situation and questioned the province government’s handling of security matters.

Speaking about the political stance of the PTI and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Tarar said the PTI was “destructive” and JI activists were peaceful.

He claimed that the two parties had distinct political attitudes and that he did not expect them to establish an alliance.

Tarar said that PTI had refused to acknowledge court verdicts on several occasions. He also cautioned Jamaat-e-Islami against staging a protest in Islamabad, saying the law would take its course if rallies were organized.