Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said the government will allow the PTI to hold its gathering in the federal capital if it remains peaceful under the constitution.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday, he said peaceful protest is their constitutional and legal right. Otherwise, he said the participants of long march will not be allowed to enter the federal capital territory. For this purpose, he said we have the requisite number of rangers, FC, Sindh and Islamabad police.

The Interior Minister said the PTI has submitted an application to hold jalsa/sit-in from the fourth of next month in H-9 and G-9 sectors of Islamabad. He said Islamabad administration is reviewing the request of the PTI.

Rana Sanaullah said a meeting on law and order situation attended by heads of all law enforcing agencies was held in Islamabad on Thursday, which reviewed matters pertaining to the PTI's long march. He said given their track record which is not good, the very intentions of the PTI are being assessed in a professional manner.

The Interior Minister said the PTI will not be allowed entry into the Red Zone under any circumstances. He said no compromise will be made on the security and protection of important buildings in the red zone which are symbol of the state.

He said Article 245 is also being invoked to safeguard red zone under which Pakistan Army will perform duties in the second layer of security.

Rana Sanaullah said the press briefing by the DG ISPR and the DG ISI has further exposed PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He said the drama of Cipher was staged by him to defeat the no confidence motion moved against him.

The Interior Minister said it has been a long struggle of the political workers that all institutions should perform their duties within their constitutional limit. He said we should welcome the stance of the armed forces for remaining apolitical.

He said what an irony it was that Imran Khan Niazi used the word "neutral" as an abuse when the armed forces decided to remain neutral and refused to play any political role to keep the PTI chief in power.

Regarding the probe into the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif, Rana Sanaullah said a two-member investigation team has left for Kenya for this purpose. He said findings of the probe will be shared with the nation.

Source: Radio Pakistan