ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said a high level inquiry would be conducted to unearth that on whose behest, Rangers had taken over the security of an accountability court in Islamabad.
Earlier in the day, a heavy contingent of Rangers surrounded the judicial complex in Islamabad wherein the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appeared before an accountability court; however, ministers and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders were barred from entering the complex.
“This is unacceptable. Whoever acted in violation of the law, he will face disciplinary action,” Ahsan Iqbal said while talking to media at the judicial complex.
Among others Ahsan Iqbal had also been not allowed to enter the Court premises; therefore, the minister expressed strong resentment and also threatened to resign over it.
“I cannot be a puppet interior minister. Pakistan is not a banana republic but a Constitutional Republic. I shall sort them out and if could not, then I shall resign as the interior minister,” Ahsan Iqbal said.
While expressing further displeasure on Rangers taking over security of the judicial compound at its own and without instructions by the civil administration, the minister said a high level inquiry would be conducted to probe as to who had challenged the writ of the government.
“Rangers perform under the Ministry of Interior and according to law, Rangers had to abide by the civil administration’s orders wherever deployed. Under this mechanism, the Rangers were bound to obey the orders of the Chief Commissioner,” the interior minister said.
“But, they unilaterally acted that is violation of the code and would be inquired about,” he added.
The interior minister further said “This principle is not fair. The institutions will have to work within the ambit of law. I cannot keep oblivious to this violation. There would be one law and one government in the country. We cannot have a state within state,” he added.
