ISLAMABAD: Ending days of uncertainty, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan finally announced on Thursday the government’s decision to allow, in principle, both the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) to march on the capital.

But he had a warning for all protesters: swift action would follow any attempts to cross red lines and the Red Zone’s security would not be compromised on.

“Providing foolproof security to the diplomatic corps is the government’s obligation to the international community and there should be no ambiguity about the government’s resolve in this regard,” he said at a press conference at the Punjab House on Thursday night.

The interior minister told reporters the PTI had made a written request, asking for permission to hold a rally in the capital, while the PAT had verbally asked for permission and their written request would be processed upon receipt.

He made it clear that both parties would be allocated separate venues and said that both were expected to reach the capital on Friday.

The government has exercised restraint and tried to defuse the situation, ignoring all provocations, accusations and threats, he said. “Nobody will be allowed to trample the law and the Constitution and make Pakistan a laughing stock. There will be no compromise. Pakistan is not a banana republic,” he remarked.

Asked if the PTI had asked the government to allow it to save face by holding their much-hyped rally, he replied in the negative and said that the Lahore High Court had clearly defined the scope of the march, for both the government and the demonstrators. As per the court’s decision, the government was bound to remove all containers and hurdles, adding that though the verdict applied to Punjab and not the federal capital, the federal government also would observe the order.

He said the government had asked for some clarifications from both parties and a set of ground rules had been agreed upon. He expressed the hope that the marchers would cooperate with the government, which was trying to ensure their safety.

In response to a question, he said the government had made arrangements for a million people, but did not elaborate.

The interior minister said the government would facilitate residents of twin cities who sought to commute between Rawalpindi and Islamabad and would open certain routes once both processions reached their allocated venues.

He refused to comment on the Jamaat-i-Islami’s ‘Five Point Plan’, saying he had not seen it.

Earlier in the day, Chaudhry Nisar visited various checkpoints in the capital to inspect security arrangements at the venues for both demonstrations.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2014