Mohsin Naqvi briefs PM Shehbaz on national, Islamabad security

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who briefed him on the overall security situation in the country.

According to an official statement, the interior minister also gave a detailed briefing on the prevailing law and order and security arrangements in Islamabad.

The prime minister directed the interior minister to address security matters in the federal capital and other related issues in an effective manner.

During the meeting, it was also decided that Naqvi will soon visit Sri Lanka, where he will deliver a special message from the prime minister to the Sri Lankan president.

It may be mentioned that Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had urged Pakistan to play its T20 World Cup clash against India in a conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, recalling Pakistan’s past solidarity with Sri Lankan cricket during difficult times.

The government late on Monday night directed the Pakistan national cricket team to take the field on February 15, with the decision taken to “protect the spirit of cricket”. Pakistan had earlier announced it would boycott the World Cup fixture against India, protesting the removal of Bangladesh from the sporting event.

Read: Opposition sit-in enters day two, vows to continue until Imran shifted for eye care

Meanwhile, in Islamabad, Tehreek-e-Tahfuz-Ayeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) protest sit-in outside Parliament over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s deteriorating health has entered its second day, with leaders vowing to continue until he is transferred to Shifa International Hospital for urgent eye treatment.

At Parliament House, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Barrister Gohar Ali Khan maintained their sit-in that began after Friday prayers, while K-P CM Sohail Afridi and other PTI leaders continued their separate protest at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa House. Heavy police contingents remained deployed at both locations.

“Our sit-in is ongoing and will continue,” Opposition Leader in the Senate Nasir Abbas told reporters, adding that their water and food supplies had been cut off. “But we will not give up,” he said.

Read more: TTAP stages sit-in outside Parliament, seeks Imran Khan’s admission to Shifa International Hospital

The federal police once again sealed the Red Zone on Saturday, keeping only Margalla Road open for entry. After conducting searches there, vehicles were allowed to proceed towards Shahrah-e-Dastoor, while Parliament House and D-Chowk remained closed to all traffic. Police prisoner vans and armoured vehicles were stationed outside both protest sites.