Ag APP
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has vowed to use “full force” to stop the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) planned protest, which coincides with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15.
“The call for protest on October 15 is an attack on the integrity of the country [....] We will not allow [anyone] to damage the honour and reputation of the country [....] The state will use all of its power and resources to prevent the invasion of Islamabad,” said Asif while speaking to the media in Sialkot, Geo News reported.
The defence minister’s remarks refer to the Imran Khan-founded party’s announcement to hold a demonstration in the federal capital on the same day the city is set to host representatives of several countries who will be visiting Pakistan to attend the Council of Heads of Government meeting scheduled from October 15 to 16.
The demonstrations, if held, would be the second in a month in the city. The previous one last week saw violent protests as the workers of the former ruling party, under the leadership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, took to the streets in what the party claimed was meant for the “independence of the judiciary”—as the government aims to introduce constitutional amendments—and for the release of its incarcerated founder.
Firing a fresh salvo, Asif said the PTI wanted to repeat the events of the May 9 riots—which saw military installations being vandalised—and that the party wanted to prevent the country’s progress and development.
The politician also called for the courts to intervene and take notice of the matter. “Do the courts not see what the PTI founder is doing with the integrity of the country? The actions of the judiciary today will determine their role in history,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal strongly condemned PTI’s protest call for October 15, terming it “political terrorism”, aimed at maligning Pakistan and stopping its development and economic progress.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister expressed disappointment at the timing of the protest, coinciding with the SCO summit, which he said was a great honour for the country. “Now there is no doubt, that terrorism in Karachi and political terrorism protest calls are similar,” the minister said, adding the “scriptwriter is the same” who on one hand has been using terrorists to carry out explosive attacks, and on the other, using the PTI to “spread anarchy and undermine Pakistan’s vital interests”.
He urged PTI supporters who genuinely want change and development to recognise the harm caused by their party’s actions. He said the PTI’s 2014 dharna (sit-in) delayed the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan, adding the party’s efforts to “derail the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project have been detrimental to the country’s progress”.
The minister said Pakistan cannot afford to indulge in destructive politics. “Just because PTI’s leader is jailed, doesn’t justify chaos,” he said, adding: “We’ve faced imprisonment too, but never fought against the state.” He said Benazir Bhutto was martyred and Zulfikar Bhutto hanged to death, but the Pakistan Peoples Party never fought against state. He expressed the hope that like in the past, people of Pakistan would reject such negative politics.
He said the incumbent leadership’s focus was on securing a brighter future for the youth through economic stability, adding in 2047, when Pakistan celebrates its centennial, “we want to hold our heads high”.
The minister said it was proud moment for Pakistan to host the prestigious SCO heads of state summit, a significant diplomatic achievement for the country.
The event will bring together prominent leaders from nine Eurasian nations, including the prime ministers of Russia and China, as well as representatives from Iran, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and India’s foreign minister.
This summit presents a unique opportunity for Pakistan to showcase its position on the global diplomatic stage and foster bilateral trade relations with participating countries.
The Chinese prime minister’s decision to extend his visit by one day to hold talks with Pakistan leadership underscores the importance of Pakistan-China relations.
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