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ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali on Monday said the government has “put its foot down” on the holding of another chehlum for Mumtaz Qadri, the killer of former Punjab governor Salman Taseer, adding that the government will not allow any group or party to hold political gatherings in the capital’s Red Zone or the F-9 park.
“Why Islamabad? The whole of Pakistan is available for political gatherings or jalsas,” questioned the interior minister.
He said the government will come out with a proposal to define areas in Islamabad where jalsas can be held.
Read: Nisar’s offer to Imran: pick FIA team for inquiry
“We will put up the proposal for discussion in Parliament,” Nisar said, adding that paralysing the federal capital had cost the country's treasury billions of rupees in 2014, referring to the four-month protest sit-in staged by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf.
“Businesses remained closed for months, the Chinese president’s visit was delayed and the government spent over a billion rupees on security measures taken during the time,” the minister said.
Nisar went on to say that if the government allows holding of gatherings at a particular place in Islamabad, “I will need guarantees that the jalsa will not move from that area.”
“If they try to move from the jalsa area and action is taken by law enforcers to contain them and people die as a result, we will not be responsible for those casualties.
The April 24 PTI jalsa should follow these rules and I am ready to talk to Imran Khan about these issues to chalk out a plan.”
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On DawnNews
Apr 11, 2016 05:51pm
In karachi Numaish chowrangi is best spot for all political parties to show street power. Why karachi, why not Islamabad or Lahore or Faisalabad.
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Apr 11, 2016 05:52pm
The ministers are out in force justifying the Nawaz family’s wrongdoings but there is no doubt there is something very fishy in this family's clandestine business dealings. Mariam Nawaz denied it outright 'the family' owning any properties abroad before her brother’s conscious surprisingly jolted just before the leaks to admit proudly that “Alhamdulillah this Khadam is the owner”. After Khadam-e Alla, we now have new self-proclaimed Khadams who raked in billions miraculously when they were still teenagers and at schools. It doesn't stack up!!!
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Apr 11, 2016 06:23pm
Because to show force and pressurise the corrupts rulers who reside in Islamabad. The rest of Pakistan belong to ruled.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:26pm
Doesn't the Interior Minister Nisar know that holding gatherings or jalsas in the capital has more significant and importance than holding in a remote village or city of Pakistan.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:33pm
Agreed with the Minster, political gathering with only destruction or hampering work/ daily life in mind brings no results only further loss for a poor nation
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Apr 11, 2016 06:35pm
Also Law shall be made that there shouldn't be any protest within City limits and from morning 8am till 8pm. The protests should be allowed in specific areas where normal work life is not affected. Protests at Numaish Chowrangi & Press Club paralysis the whole city specially those returning from work.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:44pm
Nothing has happened in the past sit-in of Pti..
Its waste of time and pti again have to hire peoples for sit-in not so?
IK is only good for his aggressive speeches. Peoples of Pakistan will soon be sick and tired of Pti sit-in.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:49pm
Pak ser zameen ka nizam, kuwate-e - akhowate-e- Awam.... You can't do progressive government from the inside. You have to rally those outsiders and make them a force.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:49pm
Mr Ch Nissar, you are a sitting minister of Interior and you were chosen by people ... as your govt is all about spirit of democracy and with great difficulty you saved this 'democracy' + 'sacred NA'.
In a democratic country you cannot put such taboos... remember, freedom of speech is basic right for every citizen and again remember each and every rally is political... whether by clerics, citizens, politicians, students, lawyers or other segments of social life... they are all political rallies and as such no restriction applies... you may be right in banning such activity within premises of any govt institution but outside it you CANNOT put such undemocratic taboos, even for PM house forget about F9 Park, which is a public property,
if you/govt cannot manage such activities, then resign because you are decimating same spirit and sanctity of democracy which you saved during Dharnas.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:53pm
@zebswati Dude! Why loot billions of rupees national wealth, stash it in offshore companies and then try to bully the masses not to hold even a rally in the capital, where the rulers sit to "mis-rule" the nation.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:55pm
@Faisal Correct. In fact rallies should be allowed only on Sundays/holidays to avoid disruption of daily life. This practice should be initiated by the governing parties and then followed by others.
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Apr 11, 2016 06:57pm
And yet they call it democracy. There are videos in youtube in which ch. Nisar PMLN is protesting outside parliament building and also on shahra-e-dastoor in Islamabad. History is the witness that few years back some mega protest gatherings and rallies of PMLN workers were also held at Aabpara Chowk, D Chowk, Super Market, Melody, all in the same city Islamabad.
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Apr 11, 2016 07:16pm
Let's wait and see when PMKn sit in opposition, will they follow their own rules
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Apr 11, 2016 07:17pm
@zebswati
100% correct, Ik insisting having birthday of pti in D-chock... In the meantime pti is behind with inter party election and he might end up loosing SMQ, Ch. Sarwar or J.treen
Its all up to him. Ik ego will cost him dearly sooner or later !!!
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Apr 11, 2016 07:22pm
No need to. Raiwind is the next venue.
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Apr 11, 2016 07:35pm
wow what a hypocrisy from Govt´s end!!!! You mean to say we will do whatever we want to, we will loot the country in what ever way we want, we will put tyranny in any way we want, but you are in no way to question whatever illegal ways we adopt, what a nonesense logic!! You can never silence these voices.
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Apr 11, 2016 07:51pm
What about Billions and Billions of rupees lost in corruption by the hands of these politicians.
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Apr 11, 2016 07:59pm
Government and Ministers are afraid of the backlash for looting billions from the poor in Pakistan and stashing them in over sea accounts. How can they sleep at night after this
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Apr 11, 2016 08:07pm
IK should hold this gathering at Zaman Pak Lahore.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:13pm
Yes, no political rallies in Islamabad. Only chehlums for hanged convicts are allowed in that city.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:21pm
Jalsa and gathering is the right of Pakistanis however as long as they are held responsibly government should be okay. However, if a law is broken then action should be taken immediately and culprits should be punished severely according to the law.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:30pm
Well done
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Apr 11, 2016 08:38pm
and what about 2008 till 2013 when PMLN used to hold the political rallies in Red Zone in Islamabad, laws should be same for every single person in Pakistan.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:48pm
@The End is Near people should learn from history not repeat the same incompetent actions that may prove detrimental to the country.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:50pm
In presence of parliament why IK want Street and agitative politics. It is in direct invitation to third force to intervene.
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Apr 11, 2016 08:56pm
Dear Home Minister, please for the sake of your own honor, walk your talk at least for once !
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Apr 11, 2016 08:56pm
Let me ask the minister - "Why not Islamabad"? Is it not part of Pakistan! It is the symbol of our unity and that is where we will come together to unite for a cause!
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Apr 11, 2016 09:39pm
Ok, I am designating entire Islamabad as corruption-free zone. Anyone residing in the city should not have secret bank account, offshore companies, or properties abroad in the name of any of his family members.
Ring any bells??
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Apr 11, 2016 09:39pm
Why not Islamabd?
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Apr 11, 2016 11:20pm
Islamabad should be free of all nonsense !
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Apr 12, 2016 12:43am
How long before Nisar calls for no rallies around Raiwind area ?
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Apr 12, 2016 12:56am
I listened to the Nasar's video. His arguments are not valid.
You cannot set any areas out of bound for political or other demonstrations. Demonstrations are held where they are most effective. Islamabad is the prime place.
I live in the neighborhood of Washington, DC. We see demonstrations in front of White House and Capital Buildings all the time.
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Apr 12, 2016 04:04am
These ministers have nothing else to do.
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