LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah says there are fears that Imran Khan may try to create law and order situation in case of a failed show on Sept 30 but warns of a resultantly strict administrative action.

Speaking at a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Sana said authorities apprehended that acting upon the “prescription” of Sheikh Rashid the PTI chairman could go for disturbing peace but any such attempt would be dealt with as per law.

He said though the government was giving a free hand for the march and public meeting, Imran Khan’s threat of besieging police stations in case of arrest of workers was creating the fears that the party could opt for lawlessness to cover up the failure of amassing a reasonable number of people.

He said PML-N activists had been clearly told to hold no political activity along the route of the PTI march or close to the venue of its public meeting.

He held Imran Khan responsible for tensions between the PML-N and PTI by talking of laying siege to prime minister’s residence.

He said the PTI had chosen the venue on its own and blocking or opening of roads to it was being done by the administration on the advice of the PTI leaders.

He said like the “Sept 3 catwalk” when at least 6,000 policemen had been deployed on The Mall to protect half of the number of activists foolproof security would be provided to the PTI for its Sept 30 public meeting.

He said the security had been further tightened in view of threat alerts during Muharram as well as tension on the eastern borders of the country.

Responding to a query, he said if Imran Khan managed to assemble even 200,000 people the PML-N would consider the PTI a political threat.

He said around 8,000 policemen with the help of CCTV cameras would protect the Adda Plot and the route leading to it.

He said the government would not bother if the PTI converted the public meeting into a sit-in. “If Imran Khan desires to be ridiculed he should continue sitting there.”

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2016