Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has stated that anyone advocating for separation from the state or taking up arms against it is an enemy, and those supporting the banned Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) will face consequences, including the blocking of their identification cards.
In a press conference in Islamabad, Naqvi clarified that holding a jirga (traditional assembly) is not an issue, as such gatherings have taken place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) before and will continue. However, he emphasized that bringing large crowds is not the same as holding a jirga. He reiterated that while discussions are welcome, there can be no parallel judicial system to the state’s legal framework.
Naqvi criticized the PTM for insulting state institutions while also advocating for armed resistance. He said, “Talk about your rights, but do not talk about taking up arms. The government is ready to sit down and discuss rights, but anyone calling for separation from the state or raising arms against it is our enemy.”
The minister warned that those providing any kind of assistance to the banned PTM would be dealt with legally. He also announced that evidence related to the group’s funding would be shared soon, adding that they had been receiving external support, including the production of documentaries against the state.
Naqvi mentioned that the PTM had been openly insulting state institutions for years, which led to the ban. He highlighted that the KP government had placed 54 people on the Fourth Schedule, while the Balochistan government had added 34 names. He stressed that the state would not tolerate any disrespect, and those providing support to PTM would face consequences, including the blocking of their ID cards, passports, and restrictions on political parties associated with them.
The interior minister emphasized that “Pakistan comes first before anything else,” and warned external supporters of these elements that they would face similar treatment if they interfered in Pakistan’s affairs. He declared, “If you expect us to remain silent in the face of unrest, that’s not going to happen.”
In response to a question, Naqvi advised journalists to ask Ali Amin Gandapur whether the Islamabad IGP had met him or not. He noted that Gandapur had given different statements on different days and questioned where Gandapur had disappeared for 24 hours. He also criticized Gandapur’s statements about reaching D-Chowk in Islamabad, stating that such large gatherings in the capital would not be allowed.
