PTI’s Oct 15 protest plans during SCO summit ‘political terrorism’: Ahsan Iqbal

Islamabad
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday strongly condemned the PTI’s D-Chowk protest call for October 15, when the two-day Shanghai Coopera­tion Organisation (SCO) summit is set to begin, as “political terrorism”, aimed at maligning the country and stopping its development and economic progress.
The PTI has announced the suspension of its protests in Punjab and issued a nationwide call urging party leaders and workers to converge in Islamabad on Oct 15. The PTI has also demanded immediate access for party leaders and family members to its founder, Imran Khan, who is incarcerated in Adiala Jail. The government earlier banned visits to prisoners at Adiala Jail until Oct 18 due to security concerns rela­ted to the high-profile SCO summit. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the planning minister expressed disappointment at the timing of the PTI’s protest coinciding with the SCO summit, which he said was a great honour for the country.
“Now there is no doubt, that terrorism in Karachi and political terrorism protest calls are similar,” the minister said adding that the “scriptwriter” was the same person who on one hand was using terrorists to carry out explosive attacks, and on the other, was using PTI to spread anarchy and undermine Pakistan’s vital interests.
Iqbal urged PTI supporters who genuinely wanted change and development to recognise the harm caused by their party’s actions. The minister said that the PTI’s protests in 2014 had delayed the Chinese president’s visit to Pakistan.
“The PTI is 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,” he urged.
The minister said the country cannot afford to indulge in destructive politics. “Just because PTI’s leader is jailed, doesn’t justify chaos,” he said.
The minister said that it was a proud moment for Pakistan to host the SCO summit on Oct 15-16 and a significant diplomatic achievement for the country.
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said while speaking to the media in Sialkot that the courts should take notice of the protest call, saying they were bound to do so.
“The state will use all its power, resources and might … to stop this attack at the country’s repute,” he said, adding that the government would not allow anyone to sabotage the SCO moot.
“Absolutely not,” the defence minister vowed.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Amir Muqam also strongly 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”.
He added that the PTI “once again showed its real face as the meeting of SCO is very important for Pakistan”.
The minister noted that in any case, the protest could not be allowed on the occasion and the protest call was “condemnable and very sad”, adding that protests and processions could be held at any other time.