ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for decisive actions to rid the country of politics of agitation following a violent protest of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party in Islamabad.
Addressing the federal cabinet on Wednesday, the premier said that the country must choose between saving Pakistan and allowing “sit-ins” to disrupt governance and stability.
Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks came after PTI’s protest for former prime minister Imran Khan’s release, which led to road blockages, school closures, and widespread disruption across the capital.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Imran Khan’s party called off the protest following a grand crackdown carried out by the law enforcement agencies.
Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the economic losses of the violence, drawing comparisons to the 2014 PTI-led protests, which had disrupted the country for months and even caused the cancellation of a high-profile visit by the Chinese president.
He also recalled the recent disruption ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where international guests expressed concern about safety.
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“We have two paths which we can take and it is obvious that we have to take the path of development and prosperity,” said PM Shehbaz.
“Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, plunge by over 4,000 points yesterday due to the riots,” he regretted. “The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily [due to the protests].”
Sharif criticized PTI for fostering a culture of unrest, linking the party’s tactics to a broader pattern of agitation dating back to 2014.
He also pointed to the violence of May 9, urging the courts to punish those responsible more swiftly to prevent further instability.
The Prime Minister also expressed concern over rising terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, referencing the recent deadly clashes in Kurram, while accusing the provincial government of misallocating resources that could have been used to address these issues.
Describing the PTI’s actions as “sedition,” Shehbaz vowed to crush any attempts to destabilize the country. “We will break the hands that seek to harm Pakistan,” he declared.
PM Shehbaz praised the efforts of the military, intelligence agencies, and law enforcement for their role in quelling the protests and restoring order.
He also acknowledged the support of Interior Minister Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar in countering the unrest.
