‘Will use KP’s force’: Govt forms committee on Imran Khan, CM Mahmood’s statements

Committee comprises Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Asad Mehmood

ISLAMABAD: In a bid to chalk out the future course of action, the federal government on Tuesday formed a committee to review the recent threatening statements of PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan. A day earlier, CM Mahmood said that he will use his province’s force when Imran Khan calls another march towards Islamabad. He made remarks at a lawyers’ convention in Peshawar. “When Imran Khan gives a call again, I am telling you that I will use Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s force,” the chief minister had warned. Speaking at an interview with a private TV channel about the PTI’s “Azadi March” and the clashes between the party members and the police, Imran Khan admitted that the protesters that accompanied him during the march were carrying weapons with them. He said he felt that the country would have gone towards anarchy had the march continued. “There was already hatred among the people due to raids carried out by the Punjab Police on PTI lawmakers’ houses a day prior to the march,” said Khan, adding that “he was 100% sure that the situation would lead to chaos.” However, in today’s cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif formed a committee headed by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to review the statements of Imran Khan and CM Mahmood Khan. The committee comprises Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Azam Nazeer Tarar and Asad Mehmood. Addressing the cabinet meeting, PM Shahbaz Sharif congratulated the nation for rejecting the PTI’s long march call on May 25. The prime minister said he had directed to deploy unarmed security personnel to avoid any loss of life during their protest march. Meanwhile, the cabinet meeting paid rich tribute to the security personnel who performed their duty during the long march. The nation rejected those who wanted to create anarchy in the country, said the participants of the meeting.

Govt warns PTI against long march

The federal government has warned the PTI of “strict action” if the party again tries to march towards Islamabad. Addressing a press conference flanked by members of the federal cabinet, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah termed the incidents that took place on May 25 an “attack on the Centre”. “The lawmakers deviated from their oath, law and Constitution in order to fulfil the criminal agenda of their political leader Imran Khan,” he claimed, terming May 25’s “Azadi March” an “anti-state conspiracy” instead of a political activity in which resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s government were used. Sanaullah alleged that contrary to the claims of PTI leaders regarding the number of people present, there were only a few thousand people at D-Chowk. “We have video proof from the Swabi jalsa where armed people attended the public gathering,” he added. “This is was a ‘fitna and fasad march’ and PTI supporters came intending to spread chaos,” the interior minister said. He added that a recommendation was made during the federal cabinet meeting that cases should be registered against these people. Regarding speculations that Imran Khan will announce another long march, the interior minister warned that party members will be arrested on the same day they begin their preparations, “let them come and I’ll see how they cross barriers this time.”