Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that the federal government will call armed forces, including the Pakistan Army and the paramilitary Rangers, to cope with PTI marchers, who plan to storm the federal capital next week.

PTI Chief Imran Khan has announced that he will start a long march from Lahore on Friday. The marchers willl enter Islamabad by November 4, according to PTI leader Asad Umar.

Sanauallh told Aaj TV’s Asima Shirazi on her show Faisla Aap Ka that the government will defeat PTI marchers at all cost. “Yes, surely will will call the army under Article 245 [of the Constitution]. We will also call the Rangers. Police and FC will form the first line [of defense] and they will be armed with tear gas [shells] and rubber bullets to control the mob. And if any weakness appears anywhere, the Rangers and the army will be there to support,” Sanaullah said.

“We will defeat this gang at every cost. Because the success of this gang means, God forbid, the defeat of Pakistan.”

In response to a question, Sanaullah said that Imran Khan could be arrested.

The interior minister also hinted that the ruling PMLN may enlist help from its worker to counter the PTI protesters.

“We will go to the last mile. If he could bring people from the entire country, we too can call people from the entire country.”

The minister also claimed that Imran Khan would be accompanied by no more than 15,000 marchers.