Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Friday said the government has decided to “hand over” the Parliament House, MNA Lodges, and old MNA House to Rangers and the Frontier Corps (FC) on the day the National Assembly is to vote on the no-confidence motion.

“We have conducted a meeting and [decided to] hand over the Parliament House, MNA lodges, and old MNA House to Rangers and FC on the election day,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

The interior minister's decision comes after Thursday’s incident at the parliament lodges. According to media reports, a dozen members of Ansar-ul-Islam – a volunteer force of JUI-F – and a couple of MNAs were arrested. The JUI-F had called for blocking roads across the country, as part of its demand to release the workers. Later, they were released after submitting surety bonds and personal guarantees, Aaj News reported.

The interior minister was of the view that having the support of the FC and Rangers in addition to the Islamabad police will help avert any untoward situation. Moreover, he has directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary and the inspector general to ensure that the Ansarul Islam members reach Islamabad in uniforms. He added that the government has taken action in Mardan and Nowshera.

“If any MNA needs security so please tell us and we are ready to provide security,” he said, “Later, don’t blame the interior ministry if 12 of your MNAs are short.” The minister said that the FIR lodged against the volunteer force of JUI-F does not contain “any lies.”

He lauded the JUI-F chief for taking his protest call back, alleging that former premier Nawaz Sharif and ex-president were using Fazlur Rehman. Furthermore, he lamented the words used by PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari against PM Imran.

He alleged that the opposition wanted to run away from the no-confidence motion and sabotage their own move. “They want to create chaos in Islamabad,” he said and urged the JUI-F chief to avoid using religious students for the protest.

“I will not spare anyone who will take the law into their hands. Till I am the interior minister, I will crush the people who will take the law into their hands,” Rashid said and forewarned the opposition against creating any instability.

He blamed the JUI-F workers for seizing the main gate of parliament lodges, while adding that “none of the MNAs” were named in the FIR. “I will not spare those who will enter Islamabad in militia dress,” he said, adding that next time the government won’t make any considerations.

“I know COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa from college days. He will be standing with democracy and he will be standing with whoever is neutral,” Rashid said and reminded the opposition of bringing 172 votes to de-seat the premier.

The minister warned the opposition against spreading “terrorism” with the help of militia

Earlier, Rashid elaborated on the details of the operation conducted in parliament lodges. The government with the consent of NA Speaker Asad Qaiser had appointed a magistrate and held talks with the JUI-F for five hours, but the efforts went in vain. “There are 362 families in parliament lodges – including 53 senators and 283 MNAs,” he said while highlighting the sensitivity of the situation.

At least five policemen got injured in Thursday’s incident and we have suspended six cops, he said, adding that a report has been sought from the district commissioner within 48 hours.

He reiterated that the opposition does not have 172 votes for the no-confidence motion

Responding to a query over the premier’s remarks for West, he said the country has been neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war and PM Imran has reiterated that the nation wanted good relations with Russia, the US, and China. He alleged foreign forces were making efforts to harm the country’s foreign policy.