In a joint news conference with Islamabad Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa on Wednesday, Ali Nasir Rizvi stated that terrorism and protest were two distinct concepts that should never be confused. “Peaceful protests are staged to express one’s point of view and for valid causes,” he said, “but terrorist acts of any type, attacks on police and Rangers, and destruction to private property.
“Besieging 2.5 million citizens is not a protest,” he stated.
The IGP firmly declared that everyone had the freedom to demonstrate and that no terrorist act would be accepted under the pretense of protest. “However, what sort of demonstration is this where AK-47s and other weapons are being used?
According to Ali Nasir Rizvi, Rangers and police officers were singled out and shot at directly during the November 24 operation that resulted in an attack on Islamabad. He continued by saying that under the pretense of demonstration, “terrorism” was being committed using tear gas shells and provincial government resources, such as residents and police officers.
The demonstrators, he added, were wearing masks and carrying firearms, including sniper rifles.
In a coordinated operation, police and Rangers detained 954 demonstrators in three days, including 610 yesterday, according to Rizvi. In addition, 210 automobiles and numerous firearms were confiscated. He claimed that the terrorists, who were posing as demonstrators, had brought weapons with them that they also used against the police.
Randhawa, the Commissioner
The high court had also issued an order in this regard, and the top commissioner noted that a comprehensive process for protest had been established in Islamabad. He stated that Sangjani may be used for protest since it is designated for that purpose. He also mentioned that the position was made available on high court rulings, but the party declared it would protest nonetheless.
Along with the destruction of numerous Safe City cameras, he also asserted that guns were utilized during the demonstration. Trees and green spaces were burned, and metro stations were destroyed. The capital was under siege, and at the same time, foreign visitors were in town.
We made one attempt to halt them. The IGP has been instructed to continue patrolling all the important areas, he said, adding that containers have been removed in Islamabad and that several police and Rangers officers have been hurt while working for the government’s work.
“We won’t allow any foreigners to remain in Islamabad who interfere with the rule of law. Those lacking a security clearance would not be permitted to remain in Islamabad. In media organizations, they also assault reporters. There was also news of a petrol station being set on fire, due to which it was closed,” Randhawa claimed.
