LAHORE: The Punjab government has neither detained any political leader nor does it intend to do so and the PML-N workers are allowed to go right up to the boundary of the airport, says caretaker Home Minister Shaukat Javed.

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference for, what he called, correcting misinformation being spread around, he said though the rally is illegal, in the context of the Code of Conduct, it could travel up to Abdullah Gull Interchange, from where the airport premises starts. It is, however, a cutoff point and going beyond it would draw administrative reaction.

The press conference was held around 3pm when the city had just started to feel the pinch of the ‘reception’ of the former prime minister: people began taking to the street and mobile service had started going off.

Flanked by information minister Ahmad Riaz Waqas and finance minister Zia Haider Rizvi, the home minster stressed the provincial government’s neutrality and kept claiming that they have no political aim or affiliation.

The minister clarified that only 124 people have been arrested in the province so far in a preemptive swoop: none of them is candidate or main leader. All other figures doing rounds are exaggerations, he said.

Explaining the illegality of the PML-N rally, he said according to the Article 41 of the Code of Conduct, which carries broader political consensus, any party holding a rally or public gathering need to take permission, at least three days prior to the event; because the local administration has to ensure protection and logistics. The PML-N asked for the permission but was refused. The rally is thus unlawful, he claimed and added: “The PML-N is not alone in this case. So far, 353 FIRs have been lodged across the province for violations of code of conduct.”

He claimed that the caretaker government does not want to use force. However, it has a cutoff line for administrative patience. The PML-N is insisting on taking out a rally and has said that they will travel on Canal Road and then move through the Ring Road to reach airport.

“The last point, up to which this illegal rally can go, is Abdullah Gul interchange – from where the airport area starts. Anybody going beyond this point would draw administrative reaction,” the minister claimed.

When asked why this unlawful rally is allowed to travel to one particular point or what if the rally takes an entirely different route, he said the rally is not legal but the participants are being warned of administrative limits. “They could only approach the airport through Ring Road because iron fence around the runway always has live current. It leaves only option of approaching the airport from the main entrance which is blocked now.”

About closure of mobile phones service, he cited blasts in Peshawar and Bannu and claimed that it has been done to avoid any terrorist activity, particularly any remote-controlled activity. “The caretakers are receiving constant reports on law and order and possible disruptions. They are being shared with political leaders of all parties. All these preemptive measures are only aimed at avoiding any tragedy,” he claimed.

The minister explained that arresting former prime minister was the duty of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). It would be done at the airport which falls under the Civil Aviation Authority – another federal body. The Punjab government’s force would be there only as a backup force and only act if need be.

About the city being sealed off, the minister said the police have only done what has always been done under such circumstances. “There is not even one step which is additional. These measures are now standard operating procedures and being taken as per practice,” he claimed.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2018