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Long march only after all legal requirements are fulfilled: govt
* Nisar says govt will implement LHC verdict in letter and spirit * Tells Imran to seek clearance for protest rally from every district government en route to Islamabad
By Asim Qadeer RanaISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Wednesday that the government would implement the order of the Lahore High Court in letter and spirit and will allow a protest rally (PTI long march) in the federal capital after fulfilment of all legal and constitutional requirements.Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Nisar said that the PTI should get clearance for holding a protest rally from every district government ahead of proceeding with the long march. Since the interior minister came for the conference after a meeting with army chief General Raheel Sharif, there was some curiosity. However, Nisar clarified that the military would not interfere in political matters. “I frequently meet the army chief to discuss the official matters,” he said. Ahead of embarking on the long march, Chaudhry Nisar said, the PTI will need permission from every district’s government from where its rally would pass en route to Islamabad. “Without permission from the district governments, it would be a negation of the high court order and the government will not allow anything unconstitutional,” Nisar said. He said the PTI protesters and leaders should realise the prevailing situation in the country. “Presently, Pakistan Army is engaged in a difficult war. At this crucial time the nation and all political parties need to stand by the military which is fighting to make the future of the country secure,” Nisar said.The minister said that after the announcement of the constitution of the judicial commission by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to probe the alleged rigging in the May 2013 general elections there was no need for a long march. Ruling out the presence of the PML-N nominees in the caretaker government which was formed ahead of the “controversial” 2013 elections, Nisar said that Fakhruddin G Ebrahim was appointed as chief election commissioner on the recommendation of the PTI.He ruled out the PTI’s demand regarding the formation of a technocratic government, saying that such a set-up has no place in the constitution. “The PTI should make its demands in the context of the constitution. There is no example in any civilised society of protesters threatening an elected government to quit office in the manner the champions of long march are doing in Pakistan,” Nisar remarked. He warned that Pakistan is not a banana republic where a government would cease to exist on the wishes of a individual or group. “Pakistan is neither Libya nor Iraq or Somalia where a violent group will grab power with ease. It is an atomic power. The judiciary is independent and the world community takes it seriously,” he stressed and added that Pakistan has an elected government which cannot be toppled due to threats from violent groups.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk