On November 24th, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated that the government showed great restraint in handling a protest by a political party. Speaking to foreign diplomats at the Foreign Office in Islamabad, he explained that law enforcement agencies did not use live ammunition during the protest. Instead, they used water cannons, tear gas, and batons to control the crowd.
Ishaq Dar also clarified that the Army was called in according to the constitution and remained in a supporting role, not directly involved in the protests. Their main responsibility was to protect key locations like the diplomatic corps and important federal institutions, including the Parliament House, Prime Minister’s House, and the Presidency.
The Deputy Prime Minister also expressed regret over the use of resources from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which were involved in the protest. He stressed that no regional government has the right to march on the capital, highlighting that such actions could cause instability.
Dar also pointed out that the government has worked hard to ensure the security of Islamabad's Red Zone, which is home to sensitive diplomatic missions and government buildings. To maintain peace and order, a special law was passed earlier this year to protect diplomats from any disturbances.
He also expressed surprise that the political party chose to hold the protest during the visit of foreign delegates, a time when the country’s image and international relations are highly important. The government, according to Dar, remains committed to maintaining law and order while balancing the right to peaceful protest.
#IshaqDar #ProtestHandling #GovernmentRestraint #ArmyInvolvement #RedZoneSecurity #DiplomaticRelations #PakistanPolitics #PublicSafety #PeacefulProtest