Govt vows to crush PTI protests

ISLAMABAD:

The government on Saturday pledged to unleash its "full force" to thwart the PTI planned protest, which coincides with the high-stakes Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15.

As the government gears up for the summit, rolling out the red carpet for around 900 delegates with over 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed for their security, the ruling coalition's ministers went on the offensive, tearing into PTI for trying to throw a spanner in the works, even calling on the courts to step in.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal slammed the PTI's D-Chowk protest call as "political terrorism," accusing the party of trying to drag the country through the mud and derail its economic recovery.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Iqbal expressed frustration at the timing of PTI's protest, with the protest coinciding with the prestigious SCO summit, an event he called a feather of honour in Pakistan's cap.

"Now there is no doubt, that terrorism in Karachi and political terrorism protest calls are similar," Iqbal said, adding that the "scriptwriter" was the same person using both terrorists for violent attacks and PTI to spread anarchy, undermining Pakistan's key interests.

Iqbal called on PTI supporters who genuinely wanted progress to reflect on the damage caused by their party's actions. He reminded that PTI protests in 2014 had delayed the Chinese president's visit to Pakistan.

He further alleged that the former ruling party was attempting to undermine the government's economic recovery efforts.

"It's crucial to acknowledge the damage caused by these actions and consider the consequences of supporting policies that hinder Pakistan's growth and development," Iqbal urged.

He warned that the country could not afford to engage in destructive politics. "Just because PTI's leader is jailed, doesn't justify chaos," he said. He further highlighted that hosting the SCO summit on October 15-16 was a proud diplomatic achievement for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, in a post on X, Senator Irfan Siddiqui questioned PTI's motives.

"Before calling for protests, staging a spectacle at D-Chowk, inciting unrest, and resorting to vandalism in the presence of esteemed foreign guests, PTI should at least clarify whether it has any connection to Pakistan and its people," he questioned.

"If so, then why is it behaving, under the guise of politics, like those anti-state elements who use terrorism as a weapon?" the senator asked.

Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, speaking to the media in Sialkot, urged the courts to take notice of the protest call, stating that they were bound to do so.

"The state will use all its power, resources, and might … to stop this attack on the country's repute," he vowed, adding that the government would not allow anyone to sabotage the SCO summit.

Absolutely not," the defence minister asserted.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Amir Muqam, also rejected the PTI's protest call.

"It is proof of anti-nationalism. There is no doubt that PTI's agenda seemed to be anti-Pakistan because PTI has declared the protest on this important occasion," Muqam said. He added that the PTI had once again revealed its true face, as the SCO meeting held immense importance for Pakistan.

Muqam asserted that under no circumstances could such a protest be allowed during the summit, describing the protest call as "condemnable and very sad".

He suggested that protests and processions could be held at another time.

PPP joins chorus of condemnation

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) also joined in condemning the PTI's protest announcement. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi labelled the protest part of a conspiracy.

He accused the PTI of "consistently pursuing an agenda against the country and collaborating with enemies of the state".

Kundi stressed that the government would not permit any attempt to destabilise Pakistan and urged PTI to retract its protest call.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Kundi highlighted the significance of the upcoming international conference, noting that Pakistan aimed to present a positive image to the world.

He warned that the PTI's protest coinciding with the conference could be detrimental.

Kundi said that all political parties were united in support of the SCO summit, and stressed that parliament was the ideal forum for politicians to air their grievances.

He criticised PTI members for inciting violence and suggested they engage in peaceful protests instead. Reiterating his call for PTI to withdraw its planned protest, Kundi underscored the importance of unity.

PPP Senator Sherry Rehman also questioned PTI's intentions, asking what the party hoped to achieve with the protest.

"Putting on a circus in Islamabad in the presence of foreign high-level delegations and international media is condemnable. The PTI is attacking national interests with mobs and politics of anarchy," Rehman said.

She questioned whether the PTI did not want any foreign delegation to visit the country and urged the party to reconsider and retract the protest call.

"No responsible political party in the country gives a call for protest on the day of a global conference. The PTI is giving a very negative message to the world," she remarked.