ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said he is optimistic about dialogue taking place between the government and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf after the latter’s public gathering in the capital on Sunday.

“The ball is now in PTI’s court. If they want explanations from the government, the latter also wants to resolve issues,” he said at a press conference here on Friday.

He said a no-objection certificate had been issued to the PTI for its political activity at a designated space at Jinnah Avenue. “I want to make it clear to the nation, judiciary and media that any violation of the agreement reached between the organisers (of PTI rally) and the district administration would not be allowed,” he warned.

Chaudhry Nisar said the rally would be allowed only at the designated place agreed upon and any movement beyond the limit would bring security personnel into action, adding that the organisers had given an undertaking that the participants would remain peaceful and disperse peacefully after the rally.

He said the government’s position was that it would have no objection if the PTI wanted to hold some political activity. But, he warned, the authorities would respond with full force if any attempt was made to ‘invade’ state buildings.

He said the authorities had received an application from the PTI seeking permission for a public rally on both sides of the Constitution Avenue and the Parade Ground, but it was categorically ruled out the holding of any political event at the Constitution Avenue. “The PTI people listened to us and understood and the talks kept on making headway.”

The minister said that when PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri had come to Islamabad for sit-ins, the government had stopped caravans coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for three hours till the administration gave permission for rallies at two separate locations.

He said police had sprung into action after the Parliament House was attacked, adding that Imran Khan and Dr Qadri could also have been arrested but the government avoided it.

Answering a question, he said reports received from a non-civilian intelligence agency suggested that there was a threat of terrorist attack in the red zone.

Chaudhry Nisar said security forces would get the agreement with the PTI implemented and no case would be registered against police personnel acting to stop its violation. “If any incident takes place I will personally appear before the court and make media personnel witness.”

Asked if the government could provide security to a ‘proclaimed offender’, he said the federal government would protect the public gathering, and not individuals.

Chaudhry Nisar denied that there was any deal with Tahirul Qadri and said it was the latter’s own decision to end the sit-in and go abroad. He said the government wanted a transparent investigation into the Model Town incident.

Published in Dawn, November 29th , 2014