Pakistan Interior Minister warns Opposition against disrupting OIC conference
Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid warned opposition leaders on Sunday not to disrupt the OIC meeting in Islamabad, calling it a matter of national security, amid opposition threats to obstruct the high-profile conference. "I declare here that no one can dare to obstruct the holding of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference because it is a matter of Pakistani security," Rashid said at a press conference. The minister stated that up to 15,000 police and paramilitary personnel would be deployed to provide security to delegates from Muslim countries attending the conference. Representatives from more than 50 countries will attend the two-day event at the Parliament. "Those attending the conference are our guests, and the Pakistan Army has taken on the task of providing security for them," he said earlier, adding that the government would "take care" of the opposition with ease and that no one would dare to obstruct the meeting. Initially, the opposition threatened a sit-in if the national assembly session was not convened in time to consider a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan. The joint opposition, however, softened its stance on Sunday, emphasizing that Pakistan's political turmoil will not be allowed to influence the event in any way. "The opposition pledges to do everything possible to create an atmosphere in which the distinguished guests will be able to carry out their activities with full attention, dedication, and determination," opposition parties said in a joint statement.