Attaullah Tarar questions guarantee of peaceful PTI protest

Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has questioned who would guarantee that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers would remain peaceful during their planned protest.

Speaking during a television programme, Attaullah Tarar said the PTI had a history of holding protests that, according to him, had involved violence. He alleged that attacks on government property, vandalism, violence and harassment had been associated with the party’s protests.

“The question is, who will guarantee that PTI workers will remain peaceful?” he asked.

The minister said it would have been better if the PTI competed with the government on the basis of performance rather than organising protests. His remarks came as opposition parties announced plans for a September 27 mobilisation, with the government expressing concerns over law and order.

Attaullah Tarar also referred to a recent incident in Kohat and said maintaining law and order was primarily the responsibility of the provincial government. He said law-enforcement agencies were engaged in fighting terrorists while, at the same time, groups were preparing to take to the streets for political protests.

He maintained that, under court directives, one administrative unit could not organise an unlawful march against another unit or against the federal government.

The federal minister further criticised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government over its response to the situation in Kohat. He said that if he were the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he would have convened an emergency meeting on law and order without wasting a second.

Attaullah Tarar added that he would also have visited the families of those killed in the Kohat incident and offered support to the bereaved families. He said particular attention should be given to children who had lost their parents in the incident.