ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday renewed hopes for a successful negotiation with protesters camped out at Faizabad Interchange after pleading Islamabad High Court (IHC) for more time to implement the court orders.

Talking to press after court proceedings, Iqbal asserted that the government would not take action on whims of some conspirators, as he said, the court has been asked to grant more time to tackle the issue peacefully.

“The government does not want a showdown resulting in another Lal Mosque [Lal Masjid] or Model Town incident,” he said while appearing optimistic for productive talks with the protesters.

He said there is no legal justification of protest after a bill passed unanimously by both houses of the parliament concerning the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwwat).

Pakistani parliament and nation are defenders of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, Iqbal underlined.

However, he said the Frontier Corps and Punjab Rangers personnel would remain deployed to avoid any kind of eventuality.

Earlier today, the IHC came down heavily on the government over non-compliance of the court orders to clear the Faizabad Interchange of protesters while issuing summons to Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal for a personal appearance.

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday renewed hopes for a successful negotiation with protesters camped out at Faizabad Interchange after pleading Islamabad High Court (IHC) for more time to implement the court orders. 

Talking to press after court proceedings, Iqbal asserted that the government would not take action on whims of some conspirators, as he said, the court has been asked to grant more time to tackle the issue peacefully.

“The government does not want a showdown resulting in another Lal Mosque [Lal Masjid] or Model Town incident,” he said while appearing optimistic for productive talks with the protesters.

He said there is no legal justification of protest after a bill passed unanimously by both houses of the parliament concerning the finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwwat).

Pakistani parliament and nation are defenders of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat, Iqbal underlined.

However, he said the Frontier Corps and Punjab Rangers personnel would remain deployed to avoid any kind of eventuality.

Earlier today, the IHC came down heavily on the government over non-compliance of the court orders to clear the Faizabad Interchange of protesters while issuing summons to Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal for a personal appearance.

IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who issued the order to clear the area earlier, expressed resentment over non-implementation of the court orders.

He posed a question as to why the federal capital administration had been unsuccessful in exercising its authority to end the protest.

The IHC judge was hearing a petition filed by citizen Abdul Qayyum after passing directives to authorities concerned to ensure the dispersal of protesters on the same petition three days ago.

“The court will issue a contempt of court order, if the orders not implemented,” Justice Shaukat Aziz remarked.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Captain (retd) Mushtaq Ahmed and Inspector General (IG) appeared before the court and apprised the judge of latest developments.

Later, the court summoned Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal and interior secretary today at 11:30 am.

Meanwhile, the protesters continue to block the Faizabad Interchange, which connects Rawalpindi and Islamabad, multiplying hardships of the residents of twin-cities.

It merits highlighting here that the court had permitted the district administration to exercise its authority and advised the deployment of the Punjab Rangers or the Frontier Constabulary, if needed.