Mohsin Naqvi Warns of Strict Action Against PTI Protest Plans

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that the government will take a strong and comprehensive response, if Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attempts to shut down the country through protests.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Naqvi said some people were preparing to “attack a city,” adding that such a move would benefit no one and would instead harm Pakistan’s economy and the protesters themselves.

“We had already made it clear that we will act according to the law,” Naqvi said. “This time, it will not happen that they come and the country remains closed for 10 or 20 days.”

PTI’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has announced to hold protest/long march on Sunday, September 27, 2026 and his demand is the release of PTI Founder Imran Khan, who is in jail for last three and half years. PTI is finalizing the detailed strategy, including the route, mobilization and schedule. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister has to announce the plan after consultations with PTI lawmakers and party office-bearers today.

In the press conference, Mohsin Naqvi said the government would formulate a permanent strategy and would not leave the matter incomplete.

Responding to PTI’s demand for a medical check-up of its incarcerated founder at a hospital, Naqvi said the former prime minister had already been present at a hospital and had undergone a medical check-up last night.

“The PTI founder was present at the hospital last night as well. His check-up was also conducted,” the interior minister said.

He stressed that the government would follow the law rather than PTI’s demands, adding that a “full response” would be given if any attempt was made to disrupt public order.

Naqvi said sensible people within PTI did not want such a situation to develop.

New Provinces Debate Gaining Momentum

The interior minister also said the movement for the creation of new provinces was gaining momentum at an unprecedented pace. “The issue of new provinces is moving forward so rapidly that one cannot even imagine it,” Naqvi said.

He said people from different sections of society, including the public, chambers of commerce, farmers and traders, were playing their respective roles in the process.

“I am very hopeful. God willing, new provinces will definitely be created,” he said, adding that the issue was progressing rapidly.

Naqvi Condemns Absence from Martyrs’ Funerals

Speaking about the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi said political differences should not prevent anyone from attending the funerals of those killed in attacks. “No matter how many political differences there are, not attending funerals is insensitivity,” he said.

“These martyrs do not belong to any political party, they belong to Pakistan,” he added.

Naqvi said the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been evident over the past 10 days, with a suicide attack at a mosque and two other attacks resulting in the deaths of a captain and other security personnel.

He said the situation would not return to normal until Afghanistan took steps to prevent militants from operating against Pakistan.

Petrol Prices Under Pressure Amid Global Crisis

Naqvi also defended the government’s efforts to maintain fuel supplies amid the prevailing international situation. He said people should look at international news, where petrol prices were heading globally. “If we were putting this money into our own pockets, then you could question us,” Naqvi said.

He said Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik was making every effort to ensure that petrol supplies were not disrupted. “Given the situation in the world, petrol would not even be available at Rs1,000 per litre,” Naqvi said.

Referring to efforts to secure fuel supplies, he said the government knew the difficulties involved in bringing ships out safely. “Yesterday, the way we managed to get our ships out, only we know what we went through,” he said.

Naqvi added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was deeply concerned about the situation surrounding petroleum products and their impact on the public.

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