• PTI policy promotes chaos in the country, says Mohsin Naqvi.
• To a question, he says Pakistan is enjoying strong bonds with us.
• PTI’s mandate stolen through Form 47, says Haleem Sheikh.

Lahore: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday called on Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI) to give up his plan to arrange a protest in Lahore on February 8, warning that any public assembly would be treated in the same way as the 26th .

As part of its campaign against the election in 2024, the former reigning party has announced protests in different parts of the country.

Security Czar said the government would request PTI to cancel the demonstrations. “If PTI does not listen to us as they did on November 26, we will answer the same way and the state will intervene,” he warned, while talking to journalists at the inauguration of a new passport office in Lahore.

Referring to an international match scheduled in Lahore on February 8, the minister criticized, who also acts as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, PTI’s decision to hold protests the same day. He accused the party of damaging Pakistan’s international image by organizing demonstrations every time foreign dignitaries visit the country. “Their policy promotes chaos rather than constructive development,” he noted.

PTI has declared February 8 a black day to protest alleged election fraud in the 2024 parliamentary elections. It has announced a protest campaign over Sindh from February 1 to February 8 against what it expresses rigging in the election.

In addition, PTI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa president Junaid Akbar announced on January 30 that the party would hold a public rally in Swabi on February 8 following the directives of his imprisoned founder, Imran Khan. The party has also sought permission to hold a public collection in Peshawar the same day to observe Black Day.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Aliya Hamza submitted an application on January 29 to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Lahore and sought approval from the local administration for a public collection in Minar-E-Pakistan, also known as Iqbal Park.

PTI’s decision to return to street policy is coming in the midst of its negotiations with the government – figures that now appear to have collapsed after PTI refused to participate in the fourth round of discussions on January 28. The party quoted the government’s failure to form a judicial commission to investigate May 9 riots and November 2024 protests as described in its charter of claims.

The dialogue process between PML-N-led government and PTI began in late December after months of increased political tensions. Although PTI presented a written charter of requirements and participated in three negotiation sessions, little progress was made with key issues.

Sindh PTI president Haleem Adil Sheikh described on Saturday, February 8, 2024 as a dark day, claiming the country’s future being compromised through election manipulation, which led to the formation of a government with a “stolen mandate.”

He claimed that PTI’s mandate was stolen through Form 47 despite strong public support for the party. “Our symbol was taken away, our campaign was limited, yet the people voted for PTI.”

He also claimed that PTI originally won 174 out of 266 national assembly seats according to form 45, but due to manipulation in form 47 its number was reduced to only 93 seats. He accused rival parties of taking advantage of this electoral fraud, especially in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawal Pindi.

In Karachi he claimed that PTI had won 20 out of 22 national assembly seats, but through form 47, 17 seats were allegedly handed over to Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P). He claimed that it was observed that it was observed that the Lahore, Islamabad and Rawal Pind be observed, where PTI’s seats were allegedly reduced in favor of rival parties.

PTI leader Khurrum Sher Zaman criticized the current government’s economic policy. He questioned why prices had not fallen despite the ruling coalition’s claims of financial improvement. He also called for the release of all political workers to ensure political stability.

Karachi PTI President Raja Azhar announced the launch of a campaign in Karachi, culminating with a magnificent rally on February 8. “We take the streets on February 8, and the public will join us in large numbers to protest against the stolen mandate,” he declared.

The press conference was completed with calls for nationwide protests and demands for accountability in the election process.

During Naqvi’s media lecture in Lahore, he was asked if the government would comply if the United States intervened on behalf of PTI’s founder, Imran Khan. Naqvi rejected the query, but claimed that Pakistan is enjoying strong ties with the United States, with positive results that are soon expected.

Federal minister Naqvi also announced major reforms in the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), Passport Offices and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to improve public services and fight illegal immigration. He said that a passport authority would soon be created, according to App.

In a speech with the media, Naqvi emphasized that the government was implementing major reforms to tackle public complaints. He noted that the demand for passports in Pakistan was high and that the introduction of new counters at Nadra centers would speed up treatment times, reducing delays in passport issuing.

He announced that 14 major cities across the country would have similar centers to ease citizens and prevent long queues. He emphasized that a strict action was taken against individuals trying to travel abroad illegally by means of false documents as well as against human smuggling networks. He warned that those involved in such activities would soon be brought to court.

Naqvi, who rejected negative reports on social media about the relationship between Pakistan and the United States, assured Naqvi that bilateral ties were strong and improved. He highlighted the recent visit of a Pakistani delegation to the United States, which he said had provided significant benefits, adding that there were better days for Pakistan.

When asked about planned reforms for the FIA, he said a special focus was placed on Faisalabad and Gujrat, as a large number of young people from these areas try to travel illegally abroad. He warned that such illegal routes stain the reputation of Pakistan and harm its global status.

Naqvi confirmed this action against human smugglers was a priority and assured that the public would soon receive good news about the government’s crash.

With regard to problems with the delivery of passports, he emphasized that the establishment of a passport authority was the only viable solution. He added that he had already discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and recognized existing challenges, but assured that the work of forming the authority would soon begin.