44
ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday said that no political party was being targeted; only individuals involved in attacking state institutions were being arrested.
Speaking during a press conference in Islamabad, Nisar assured both Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) that people were being arrested based on evidence.
He specified that those people who had attacked state institutions and were involved in stealing electricity and water were being arrested. The interior minister also said those involved in attacking the police would be held accountable.
“PTI and PAT are not being targeted; people who are breaking the law are being arrested… We cannot tolerate illegal activities such as this for it is against the law,” said Nisar.
“If an innocent person has been arrested, I assure them that they will be released… Everyone can see the photo and video evidence of people involved in the attack on PTV,” the interior minister said.
Nisar showed photos during the press conference of people he said were PAT and PTI workers attacking and going on a rampage at the PTV Headquarters.
“Twenty people have been identified in the attack on PTV, seven have been arrested,” said Nisar.
“Eight expensive cameras were stolen from the studio,” he added.
The interior minister also said that, “Serious intelligence reports have come that there may be terror attacks on both protests… We have received reports from intelligence agencies."
“We have received intelligence that 5 to 6 terrorists have come to Islamabad and that they have their sights set on attacking the marchers,” Nisar said. He also stated that bomb disposal experts have been dispatched to the protest site and that the area has been cordoned off to secure the location.
“The well being of the Pakistani people is the state's responsibility,” Nisar said.
“Whether this march is constitutional or not, it is important to remember that there are women and children who are apolitical and have been brought here forcefully. They have been made fodder for other people’s political goals… People organising marches are also responsible in providing security for the marchers,” the interior minister said.
“The only solution is through dialogue… Talks with PTI have been going in a positive direction,” the interior minister claimed.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (44) Closed
Sep 13, 2014 06:57pm
The evidence provided by media is being used for arrest of perpetuators of TV station attack, are these admissible in court of law? If they are then why when media provided evidence for rigging in the elections was not taken as evidence for arresting polling staff and RO
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:01pm
So playing music is now a criminal act?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:01pm
PMLN this is not 1990's. You can't fool the nation but fooling yourselves!!!
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:03pm
Nisar, when will you arrest your ministers who steal electricity?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:08pm
Yes No one is above the law lets start with Naya Pakistan .
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:09pm
Mr. Beans don't lie
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:12pm
Attack on PTV is attack on state and state institutions (like police) must act against the culprits. It should be apolitical move and come whatever may police must proceed.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:14pm
Sahib should start by solving NAB cases!
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:24pm
These marches have exposed the rulers and have reinforced my belief that the current rulers are not even qualified to be in their roles. I am an educated professional and fail to understand how can people like Nawaz, Shahbaz, Nisar, Saad Rafique, Asif, and the rest of the lot are qualified to rule my country. I definitely reject these incompetent and corrupt professional politicians
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:33pm
How long will you say lies! How long you will hold the ministry! Learn to think of tomorrow. Release the innocent people forthwith.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:34pm
@Ali Education failed to educate you between anarchy and bad governance. Both sides same corrupt leaders but you are supporting one side
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:49pm
I find it funny when they have different standard for different people. Someone can murder 14 people, cant get the FIR register and poor people can be arrested for stealing "water and electricity". May Allah has mercu on is.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:52pm
@Ali I share your views and encourage our brother and sisters in Pakistan to stand with the righteous. Imran khan is a credible individual and knowing him from his cricketing career a 'zero tolerance " man.
The people of Pakistan must collectively take the blame for the state of our country. We have stood by while our country has been looted, our brothers and sisters have been abused by the waderas and zamindars who have the blessing of our top elite corrupt political mongerers.
Please wake up and stand by those who are selfless and want to steer us out if slavery. Please stand up for the sake if your children and future generations.
These dynasties must end for a NAYA PAKISTAN to bloom.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 07:55pm
The evidence provided by media is being used to arrest perpetuators of TV station attack, are these admissible in court of law? If they are then why evidence provided by media on rigging in the elections was not taken as evidence for arresting polling staff and RO
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:03pm
The thuggish leaders of the marchers wanted/needed a confrontation and so they deliberately stormed the Parliament, the PM House, the PTV station. That was illegal and there is plenty of evidence--in photos and videos--to nab the culprits. Mr. Interior Minister: You are doing the right thing and we support you. If anything you have been too soft on these thugs!
Meengla Yip.
USA
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:06pm
@Ali Would you accept Gen. Zia or Gen Musharraf?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:06pm
It is a civilian' junta ' that is running the country. Under any excuse they will pick up people, lock them up . There is n't going tobe a fair trial. Proverbial corrupt Punjab police will do anything to please their masters. Why has n't Nisar Ali arrested the killers of 14 TUQ followers in last June, in Lahore ?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:12pm
Fine. I hope the same treatment for the other thieves especially the ministers and the king sharif's family
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:17pm
@W.Shaikh : Zia: No no no...
Musharraf: Why not?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:24pm
What a liar.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:31pm
@Pakistani the current ruling elite are very experienced looters and the other side are just in for 13 months.
Can your education tought you some difference between these two?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:48pm
Those who killed the 17 PAT workers, several of them women, have still not been apprehended despite having broken the law. Mr Interior Minister of Nazwaz's party not of Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:49pm
@AsR they were PML-n goons.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 08:50pm
What about tax evaders? I guess then the entire parliament will be in jail ;)
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 10:15pm
Why do these intelligence reports only come out when the opposition is trying to protest or rally. Its like Americans raising the alert level close to elections.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 10:16pm
Lets have a proper definition of criminals,Mr Nisar. If you really arrest ALL criminals, new elections will be mandatory as their won`t be enough people left in the parliament to run your circus of "democracy". You are just missing the point . If everybody gets a fair hearing and justice in a fair system there will be no need for any dharna BUT you have closed all the doors for people to bring about a peaceful change. You and people like you (in all the parties) are to blame for this.
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 11:17pm
Does someone remember leaders of those who attacked Supreme Court of Pakistan? Were they ever arrested and punished?
Recommend
0
Sep 13, 2014 11:37pm
@AsR
Is police apolitical. Was police apolitical in Model Town?
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 12:00am
The actions of the government are coming off as desperate.....possibly telling the truth may gust save them but sadly that is one thing they are averse to doing.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 12:30am
Well played govt.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 12:38am
Minister Nisar, you state " those involved in attacking the police will be held accountable". But what about the police and the people who order them to shoot and kill innocent people(Model Town) will they be held accountable too.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 01:15am
The nation should support IK to get rid of white collar criminals
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 01:54am
@AsR so whataout the model twon murder case or the thrashing of the media persons case..or the ghadari case against nawaz sharif or the plane hijacking case or the asghar khan case or the bank of punjab fraud case and the list goes on n on n on oh and these were all state institutions attacked by the nihari league
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 02:05am
Need to look in the mirror for that!
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 02:07am
Why Sharif brothers and PML(N) ministers are not being targeted
.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 02:59am
If only the criminals and corrupt are being arrested , start with the entire parliament and you yourself included.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 03:44am
Mr Minister, You are only trying to protect your governmnet but your days are numbered. Pakistanis have rejected profesional politicians who have taken the country in to stone aged due to their vested interests and corruption. PMLN could not find any good people to appoint as Ministers and head of Public institutions and again and again bringing relatives and friends forward... we are rejecting the politics of favouratisim and nepotisim, You can not stop NAYA Pakistan as we are rejecting status quo politics.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 03:54am
unarming police and sending them to arrest people from a crowd of thousands ?? I think government is sending police as a bait hoping that crowd will overcome and abuse police( which may happen). That would justify the use of brutal force. And I think I may be right. PTI and PAT should be very careful to not fall into the trap.
If government is soooo nice then why did they not send unarmed police in Model Town???
Simply put--- police is being used as qurbaani ke bakray.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 04:54am
Nisar, you are not qualified for that job that you have. Just quit and go home. Believe me, that will be the best service that you can do for the country.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 05:42am
One lie after another .... I hope nation is not buying these lies ...one cannot be trusted who lies about anything and PML-N has been caught being untruthful numerous times now. I hope we all see that day when these liars are punished and we all start our travel to new and prosperous Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 07:32am
Mr. Nisar Ali Khan, please go through the news items under the Head of" Lesco to Discontinue Electricity to 18 Government Institutions" and " Government Opposition Wrangle Over Sindh Electricity Dues", appearing in the "Daily Dawn" of April 30, 2014 and May15, 2014, and let the public know through both the medias as to how many of these defaulters have been arrested and put behind bars as also the extend of out standing dues so far collected.
Well, your reaction would be, as usual, just ignore such public comments and go on feeding people with things that do not hold water.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 07:38am
How do these guys make so serious faces while talking about criminals. I bet they must be laughing inside.
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 07:45am
Chaudhry Nisar says that only criminals being targeted not political parties. He added that PTI and PAT are not being targeted; people who are breaking the law are being arrested. We cannot tolerate illegal activities such as this for it is against the law. Whom is he trying to fool, don’t people now know who can be bigger criminal than the PML(N). They are also indulging in illegal and criminal activities which has brought the people on the roads..
Recommend
0
Sep 14, 2014 01:01pm
It is a fact that some persons attacked PTV Building and many costly cameras costing about Lakhs of rupees were broken .Later on,Molvi Qadri as well as Crcketer Imran publically announced that those hooligans do not belong to them.Subsequently Government took advantage of the various photographs of those culprits who broke into PTV and started arresting them.But now Molvi Qadri and Imran are raising a hue and cry that their followers are being arrested and they condemn the Government for this action.Is it not a contradiction that on the one hand these two persons are saying that the culprits are not their followers and on the other hand they are admitting that those followers belong to them.What does this mean?They must behave like mature and responsible persons.
Recommend
0
