Rangers, FC to handle security of Parliament House on day of no-trust vote: Rashid

Published
17
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Friday. — DawnNewsTV
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed addresses a press conference in Islamabad on Friday. — DawnNewsTV

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Friday said it had been decided that the security of Parliament House, Parliament Lodges, and old MNA House in Islamabad would be handed over to paramilitary Rangers and Frontier Corps (FC) on the day the National Assembly votes on the no-trust motion against the prime minister.

The minister's remarks come a day after a police raid in the Parliament Lodges to expel members of the Ansarul Islam — the volunteer force of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) — who made it to the high-security zone to allegedly provide security to opposition lawmakers.

At least four legislators, along with two dozen Ansarul Islam volunteers, were arrested during the operation, all of whom were released today.

At the press conference in Islamabad today, Rashid warned of dealing anyone disturbing the law and order situation in Islamabad with an iron hand.

"I will trample those who take the law in their hands next time."

He said the opposition was sensing defeat in the no-trust motion it had brought against Prime Minister Imran Khan "and that is the reason they are creating anarchy in Islamabad".

The minister warned that he would not take into consideration the stature of a leader and take all-out action against anyone who disrespected the law.

But he added: "If we detain anyone [parliamentarian] for disturbing the law and order, we will also bring him to the parliament to cast vote on the day of the no-confidence motion."

He predicted that the opposition's "bad time is near", saying they were involved in a "personal battle with Imran Khan, instead of a political one".

"This is all being done to impede Pakistan's progress and damage the balanced foreign policy that Pakistan has adopted under the premiership of Imran Khan," he added.

Rashid recalled yesterday's incident, saying law enforcement personnel had obtained search warrants with the permission of the National Assembly speaker in an attempt to avoid any untoward incident.

"Around 362 families live there [Parliament Lodges]. Of them, 53 are senators and 278 are MNAs. I don't want to spread terror but we do not have some good reports as recently we caught a group from Bara Kahu planning terror activities in Islamabad," he said.

He said the police still did not file terror charges against those who intruded Parliament Lodges. "There is video evidence that shows Senator Kamran Murtaza used extremely foul language against the police but the cops continued to calm him down."

He was of the view that the opposition created a scene "as it lacks the required 172 numbers in the assembly to oust the PM through a the no-confidence vote".

No one to allowed in Islamabad wearing militia dress

The minister said he had also directed police authorities and the Islamabad police chief to bar anyone wearing a militia dress from entering the capital.

"I will not spare anyone who comes to Islamabad wearing a militia dress. And what impression are you trying to give by bringing such people in?" he asked.

In response to a question, Rashid said he knew Army Chief Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa since his college days, adding that "he [Bajwa] will stand with democracy."

Opinion

Editorial

Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...
Terror and politics
Updated 29 Sep, 2026

Terror and politics

There is an urgent need to tone down the rhetoric and tackle terrorism as a collective challenge for both the affected provinces and the federation.
Watching the glaciers
29 Sep, 2026

Watching the glaciers

THE latest signs from Pakistan’s mountains are worrying. Suparco says the number of unfrozen glacial lakes it...
Dangerous agenda
29 Sep, 2026

Dangerous agenda

AS the world remains fixated on the US-Iran conflict, elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel is consolidating its grip...