Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed that his government will not allow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to derail the country’s economy as it did with its 2014 sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
Since the PTI launched its latest protest movement, several PMLN leaders have criticized the PTI for seeking to damage the country’s economic future once more, pointing to the cancellation of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Islamabad due to the 2014 dharna. The current protest, initially projected as a demonstration before being expanded to a “sit-in” by various PTI leaders, had triggered concern that it could hamper the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting scheduled to take place in Islamabad from Oct. 15-16. The summit is set to include senior officials of China, Russia, India, and other nations who would attend the gathering in Islamabad’s Red Zone.
“I will not allow the repeat of 2014,” vowed Sharif in an address to his federal cabinet. “The conspiracy that took place [then], we will not allow, we will not tolerate,” he said. “This is my promise to the nation,” he added. Lamenting that the PTI had done nothing except sow chaos and divide the nation, the prime minister said the party had failed to achieve its own manifesto promises while in power, neither ending corruption, nor bringing “looted” money back to Pakistan.
Referring to the 2014 dharna, Sharif noted that the PTI had proceeded with its dharna despite the government finalizing the dates for the Chinese president’s visit months earlier, damaging the country’s economy and global image. “The Government of Pakistan tried its best, but they [PTI] refused to postpone their sit-in. I was shocked to know about the delay of the Chinese president’s visit,” he said.
Describing the PTI’s plans as “nefarious,” he said it was established that Afghan nationals were involved in the party’s protests. “They [PTI] are worried that if the country excels, then there will be no one who supports them,” he stressed.
Sharif also informed the cabinet that he had assured the Chinese ambassador in Pakistan of foolproof security for Chinese nationals in Pakistan after the deadly airport bombing that killed two Chinese nationals. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed the attack, he noted, adding he had emphasized “complete security arrangements” for the upcoming SCO summit in his meeting with the envoy.
“Internal and external enemies are united [to damage Pakistan],” he regretted. “We all know who finances them,” he said hoping Pakistan would “God willing” move forward.
During the cabinet meeting, Sharif also announced that he would sign agreements worth around $2 billion when a Saudi delegation visited Pakistan later this month.