Muhammad Amanullah
Date: September 21, 2026 The True Post (Web News) —ISLAMABAD — Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against proceeding with its planned September 27 protest and march towards Islamabad, saying the government will strictly enforce the law and relevant court orders if demonstrators attempt to enter or disrupt the federal capital.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore on Monday, Naqvi said PTI still had time to reconsider its decision and avoid what he described as a situation from which there could be no easy return.
The interior minister said the government would not allow a repeat of prolonged disruptions in which roads and normal activities remained affected for days. He said authorities were preparing to deal with the situation and would ensure that there were no gaps in their arrangements. (Dawn)
Naqvi Urges PTI to Reconsider March
Naqvi said PTI should reconsider its decision to proceed with the Islamabad march and adopt a different approach to pursuing its political demands.
He claimed that a majority of the party’s leadership was not in favour of proceeding with the long march, and urged the party leadership to consider the potential consequences for its workers and the wider public.
The minister said political parties could present their demands through political and legal channels, but attempting to enter or shut down the capital would not resolve the underlying issues.
“Do not harm yourself and your workers,” Naqvi said, according to reports of his press conference. (Dawn)
Government Signals Strict Enforcement
The interior minister said the government would take action if the planned protest violated the law or the orders of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
He said the government would not leave loopholes in its preparations and would use the legal framework available to deal with any attempt to disrupt the capital.
Naqvi had already warned on September 18 that the government would stop attempts to march towards Islamabad and that violations of the IHC ruling could result in contempt proceedings. (Dawn)
The IHC ruling cited by the government relates to restrictions on blocking public roads, highways and government buildings during political protests. (Dawn)
Government Wants a Long-Term Approach to Protests
Naqvi also said the government wanted to develop a longer-term strategy for dealing with repeated protests and disruptions in Islamabad.
He said the country could not repeatedly remain affected for 10 or 20 days because of political demonstrations.
According to reports, the minister said the government intended to find a permanent solution to the recurring situation rather than dealing with each protest separately. (The News Pakistan)
Dispute Over Imran Khan’s Medical Check-Up
Asked about PTI’s demands concerning party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, Naqvi said that if the demand related to Khan’s medical examination, a check-up had already been conducted the previous night.
He said any medical treatment or examination required by Imran Khan would be provided according to the law and established procedures.
Naqvi also maintained that the government’s decisions regarding medical matters would be based on the applicable legal process rather than political pressure. (Dunya News)
Hangu Attack and Funeral Attendance
During the press conference, Naqvi also referred to the recent deaths of security personnel in Hangu.
He criticised the absence of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and provincial government representatives from the funeral prayers of the security personnel killed in the attack.
Naqvi said political disagreements were separate from the issue of paying respects to those killed in the line of duty. He argued that political differences should not extend to matters involving the funerals of security personnel.
His comments came amid heightened security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following a series of attacks in the province. (Dunya News)
Petrol Prices Linked to Global Market
Responding to questions about petrol prices, Naqvi said changes in petroleum prices were linked to developments in the international market.
He pointed to fluctuations in global crude oil prices and other relevant factors as influences on domestic petroleum prices. (Dunya News)
Naqvi Speaks About New Provinces
The interior minister was also asked about the possibility of creating new provinces in Pakistan.
Naqvi said there was public support for the creation of new provinces and expressed the view that new provinces could eventually be established.
The issue has remained part of Pakistan’s political and administrative debate for years. Supporters have generally argued that smaller administrative units could improve governance and access to public services, while political parties have differed over the number, boundaries and constitutional arrangements involved.
PTI’s September 27 Protest
PTI has announced a nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad for September 27, with the release of party founder Imran Khan among the issues cited by the party.
The government has opposed the planned march and has said that security and administrative preparations are being made in light of the IHC’s ruling.
The political confrontation has intensified in recent days. On September 20, police arrested Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan in Lahore ahead of the planned protest, according to Reuters, while PTI has continued preparations for the September 27 mobilisation. (Reuters)
The government’s position is that any attempt to enter Islamabad in violation of the law or court orders will be dealt with through legal measures. PTI, meanwhile, has maintained its plans for the protest.
With September 27 approaching, attention is now focused on whether the government and PTI will establish any channel of communication before the protest and how both sides will respond to the legal and political challenges surrounding the planned march.
