LAHORE, Sept 21: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against marching towards Islamabad, saying the government would not allow a situation in which the party could come to the capital and shut down the country for 10 or 20 days.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said an “attack on Islamabad” would not be allowed and urged the PTI to reconsider its plans before reaching a point from which, he said, there would be no way back.

He said that if the PTI proceeded with a long march, the government would ensure implementation of the Islamabad High Court’s orders “in letter and spirit.” He added that the government would consider all legal options available to it depending on the situation.

Speaking about petrol prices, the interior minister said the prevailing global situation could reach a point where petrol might not even be available for Rs1,000 per litre. He said petrol shortages were being reported in several countries, while prices in Pakistan fluctuate in line with movements in the international market.

Commenting on the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Naqvi said the prevailing conditions in the province were visible to everyone. He again urged the PTI not to pursue a course that could lead to a situation from which there would be no return.

On the creation of new provinces, the interior minister said he was hopeful that new provinces would eventually be created and claimed that progress on the issue was moving ahead rapidly.

Discussing relations with Afghanistan, Naqvi said ties with Pakistan could not return to normal unless Afghanistan took steps to prevent militants from operating against Pakistan.

He said Pakistan would seek a permanent solution to the issue this time, stressing that the country could not repeatedly afford to face the same situation.