JI urges PTI to delay October 15 protest amid upcoming SCO summit

Liaqat Baloch urged political parties to set aside their differences and prioritise national dignity

Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to postpone its planned protest scheduled for October 15.

Liaqat Baloch, Deputy Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, welcomed the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit to be held in Islamabad on October 15-16, describing it as an honour for the nation rather than any specific party.

He urged political parties to set aside their differences and prioritise national dignity, suggesting that PTI should delay its protest and that the government should accept PTI’s demand for a meeting with Imran Khan. He emphasised the need for national dialogue among political leaders to resolve political differences and instability.

“If national political parties continue to act as tools and facilitators for the establishment to gain power, Pakistan will face further challenges politically, democratically, and economically,” he stated. He also highlighted that the political resolution of crises is a test of the political consciousness and maturity of national leadership.

Commenting on recent events, Baloch condemned the terrorist attack at Karachi airport, labelling it a hostile act against the nation. He expressed solidarity with the Chinese people, stating, “The mastermind behind this conspiratorial terrorism is a common enemy of both Pakistan and China.” He added that the friendship between Pakistan and China lays a strong foundation for future global alliances.

Baloch also addressed the significance of a high-level Saudi economic delegation visiting Pakistan, viewing it as a message of enduring friendship. He noted that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and Saudi investment are promising, but cautioned that the internal turmoil of the coalition government and its avoidance of political solutions could negatively impact these beneficial initiatives.

In response to reporters’ questions, he accused the government and its allies of treating the constitution as a “child's play,” where each supporter seeks to amend it to suit their agenda while blackmailing each other.

Baloch warned that any constitutional amendment lacking national consensus and without a two-thirds majority would keep the constitutional process of Pakistan in perpetual dispute. He urged the government to refrain from pursuing unconstitutional and illegal amendments.