Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warns against repeat of 2014 sit-in chaos

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the federal cabinet on Tuesday, condemning the recent protests led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Drawing parallels to the prolonged 2014 sit-in, Shehbaz vowed that a repeat of such disruptive events would not be tolerated under any circumstances.

He stated, “Such incidents are a replica of 2014-15 incidents when a sit-in was staged for months and was not called off despite the announcement of the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan without bothering about its impact on the country’s image and national economy.”

The Prime Minister continued “We will not allow it to be repeated. We will not tolerate it at any rate, at any cost. This is my promise. I will not let it happen.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the recent attack near Karachi airport that resulted in the deaths of two Chinese engineers and injuries to another, despite the government's extensive security measures.

He informed the cabinet about his discussions with the Chinese ambassador in Islamabad and his visit to the Chinese embassy, where he assured that the government would leave no stone unturned to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

In the context of ongoing political unrest, he remarked on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, stating that allegations against the government aimed to create chaos at a critical time when the Chinese Premier was scheduled for a bilateral visit, alongside a Saudi delegation expected to sign agreements worth $2 billion.

The cabinet members offered Fateha for the security personnel martyred in various terrorist incidents.

Prime Minister Shehbaz thanked China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for their support in securing the IMF loan facility. He highlighted the successful visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which agreements were made for Pakistan to export Halal meat and rice.

Prime Minister Shehbaz announced that the IMF program had been approved, inflation fell from 32% to 6.9%, and exports and remittances were on the rise, warning against any political attempts to undermine these achievements. He discussed the government’s reform agenda, including increased tax return filers and ongoing digitization efforts.

He criticised the KP chief minister for allegedly leading a disruptive protest involving Afghan nationals, which included violence that resulted in the death of an Islamabad Police official.

The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of a peaceful environment for investment and acknowledged the sacrifices of security personnel in combating terrorism.

Cabinet okays relief fund for Palestine, Lebanon

During the meeting, the federal cabinet approved the establishment of a 'Prime Minister's Relief Fund for Palestine and Lebanon' to aid those affected by Israeli aggression in the regions.

The decision was made on Tuesday in the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz at PM House.

The premier also issued necessary instructions to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to open an account for the fund.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will oversee relief operations related to the relief fund. The fund aims to provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering from the ongoing conflict and crisis in these areas.