The government officials in Pakistan condemned the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for its planned protest on October 15. They accused PTI of attempting to undermine the country’s progress and sabotage the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Federal ministers and PML-N members labeled the protest as “political terrorism” and a “conspiracy against the state.”
Minister Ahsan Iqbal criticized PTI for calling the protest during the SCO summit and warned about the negative impact on Pakistan’s international standing. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused PTI of prioritizing personal interests over national development.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari likened PTI to the Taliban and accused them of planning violent attacks during the summit. PML-N Senator Talal Chaudhry described the protest as a conspiracy to blackmail the state.
Overall, the government officials emphasized the importance of unity and stability, urging PTI to reconsider its actions. To ensure security, Punjab imposed Section 144 in five more districts, banning all political gatherings and protests.
Published in Dawn, October 13th, 2024