Peaceful Protest a Right, Public Disorder Won’t Be Allowed: Mohsin Naqvi

CHARSADDA: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Friday visited the Federal Constabulary Training Centre in Shabqadar, Charsadda, where he inspected specialised exercises of the Anti-Riot Wing and reviewed the force’s operational preparedness.

Anti-Riot Wing Demonstrates Specialised Exercises

During the visit, Naqvi observed practical demonstrations covering crowd management, protection of sensitive locations and responses to challenging public-order situations. He praised the personnel’s professional skills, modern training and operational readiness. The visit and inspection were also reported by the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan on August 28.

Addressing personnel, the interior minister said the Anti-Riot Wing had been trained along modern lines and was capable of responding to different law-and-order situations. He said maintaining peace and stability remained a key responsibility of the state.

Naqvi Draws Line Between Peaceful Protest and Disorder

Naqvi also drew a distinction between peaceful protest and activities that breach the law. He said peaceful protest was a right of every citizen and that the law had laid down a framework for exercising that right. He added that there should be no objection to peaceful demonstrations conducted within the law.

However, he said actions that damage public or private property or disrupt public order could not be permitted under the cover of protest. The state, he added, would fulfil its responsibility to maintain order and deal with violations in accordance with the law.

Modern Protection Gear and Gas Masks Ordered

Naqvi described the Federal Constabulary’s role in maintaining public order across Pakistan as increasingly important and urged personnel to complete their training with discipline and professional commitment. The Shabqadar unit has a long institutional history; the Federal Constabulary’s official website says the Shabqadar formation dates to 1922 and notes the area’s strategic location between the Peshawar valley and the adjoining mountainous region.

The minister said personnel were being provided modern protection gear meeting international standards to improve both their safety and operational capability in the field. He directed officials to provide gas masks to all personnel.

Training and Equipment Modernisation Continues

The latest inspection follows Naqvi’s earlier push to modernise Federal Constabulary training and equipment. During a previous visit to the Shabqadar centre in June, he reviewed the Special Protection and Anti-Riot wings and called for upgraded anti-riot equipment, physical fitness training and improved facilities for personnel.

Barracks, Washrooms and Sports Facilities Reviewed

During Friday’s visit, Naqvi also inspected the barracks and spoke directly with personnel about their working and living conditions. He ordered reconstruction of washrooms at the FC headquarters and announced improved sports facilities, including a swimming pool of international standard.

The minister also followed up on a power supply issue raised during an earlier visit. Personnel told him that load-shedding was no longer affecting the facility and that uninterrupted electricity was now being provided.

Naqvi also directed officials to take immediate steps to facilitate medical treatment for the mother of one of the personnel.

Female Personnel Join Training Programme

Officials briefing the interior minister said trainees represented all four provinces as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Significantly, the current training programme also includes 35 female personnel for the first time.

The Inspector General of Federal Constabulary, DIG Training, DO FC and other senior officials were present during the visit.