Government and PTI aim to avoid bloodshed, but one person remains key: Mohsin Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to avoiding any loss of life during recent clashes, following the deaths of four security personnel. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, he expressed regret over the violence and emphasised the need to protect lives while maintaining order.

“Yesterday, we lost four lives—three Rangers and one Punjab police officer. Several others, including two ASPs and an SP, were injured, along with many Punjab police personnel. We do not want any loss of life, nor was it our intention,” Naqvi stated.

He explained that the government had offered protesters a safe passage to Sangjani and had called for a ceasefire twice during the unrest. However, he accused the protest leaders of exploiting every opportunity to escalate tensions.

“A decision to go to Sangjani was made; ask their leadership. But there is a hidden leadership controlling everything, making others irrelevant,” Naqvi remarked, calling attention to the lack of transparency in the protestors’ decision-making process.

While clarifying that armed retaliation could have been an option, the minister said that the matter was left to the discretion of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to decide how to respond. “We will stand by our forces in every way,” he assured.

Naqvi also disclosed that the protesters primarily hail from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with no participation verified from Punjab. “We have checked the backgrounds of those involved; they all came in convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he concluded.

The government continues to urge restraint and dialogue to resolve the situation peacefully.