Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to call off its planned protest in Lahore on February 8, warning that authorities will respond as they did on November 26 if the demonstrations proceed. His statement comes amid PTI’s ongoing campaign against the 2024 general elections.
PTI has announced protests across the country as part of its movement against alleged electoral fraud. Naqvi stated that the government would formally request PTI to cancel its demonstrations. “If they refuse, as they did before, the state will take action accordingly,” he cautioned during a media briefing at the inauguration of a new passport office in Lahore.
The minister, who also serves as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, criticized PTI’s decision to stage protests on February 8, the same day as an international cricket match in Lahore. He accused the party of harming Pakistan’s global image by organizing demonstrations whenever foreign dignitaries visit. “Their politics create disorder instead of contributing to national progress,” he remarked.
PTI has declared February 8 a Black Day in protest against alleged electoral manipulation. The party is holding demonstrations across Sindh from February 1 to February 8 to highlight what it claims was rigging in the elections. PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa President Junaid Akbar announced a public rally in Swabi on February 8, following the directives of PTI’s incarcerated founder, Imran Khan. The party has also sought permission for a gathering in Peshawar on the same day.
In Lahore, PTI leader Aliya Hamza submitted a request on January 29 to the deputy commissioner’s office, seeking approval for a rally at Minar-e-Pakistan, also known as Iqbal Park.
PTI’s return to street protests follows stalled negotiations with the government. The party pulled out of the fourth round of talks on January 28, citing the government’s failure to form a judicial commission to investigate the May 9 riots and November 2024 protests.
Sindh PTI President Haleem Adil Sheikh described February 8, 2024, as a dark day, alleging that electoral manipulation robbed PTI of its mandate. He claimed that, according to Form 45, PTI secured 174 out of 266 National Assembly seats, but due to interference in Form 47, the number was reduced to 93. He accused rival parties of benefiting from this, particularly in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi.
In Karachi, Sheikh claimed PTI originally won 20 out of 22 seats, but 17 were allegedly given to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) through Form 47 manipulations. He asserted that a similar pattern was observed in other major cities.
PTI leader Khurrum Sher Zaman criticized the government’s economic policies, questioning why inflation remained high despite claims of economic improvement. He also called for the release of political detainees to ensure stability.
Karachi PTI President Raja Azhar announced a protest campaign in the city, culminating in a major rally on February 8. “We will take to the streets, and the people will stand with us against this stolen mandate,” he stated.
Naqvi was also asked whether the government would respond if the United States intervened on behalf of Imran Khan. He sidestepped the question but reiterated that Pakistan maintains strong ties with the U.S., expecting positive outcomes from the relationship.
During the press conference, Naqvi also announced major reforms in the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), passport offices, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). He revealed plans to establish a Passport Authority to streamline services and combat illegal immigration.
He noted that new counters at Nadra centers would speed up passport processing, reducing delays. Additionally, 14 major cities will have enhanced passport service centers to address long queues.
Naqvi stressed that authorities are cracking down on illegal immigration and human smuggling networks, warning that offenders would soon be brought to justice. He particularly emphasized Faisalabad and Gujrat, where many young people attempt illegal migration, highlighting the negative impact on Pakistan’s global reputation.
On passport delivery challenges, Naqvi reaffirmed that forming a Passport Authority was the only viable solution, adding that discussions with the prime minister on the issue had already taken place. Work on establishing the authority would begin soon, he assured.
He also dismissed negative reports about Pakistan-U.S. relations circulating on social media, stating that bilateral ties remain strong and that recent diplomatic engagements have been fruitful.
