Federal ministers have strongly criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) “do-or-die” protest in Islamabad, labeling it “illegal and unnecessary.” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar claimed that many PTI leaders were surrendering to authorities to avoid participation in the protest.
During his visit to various areas of Islamabad on Sunday, Tarar alleged that PTI’s sole demand is an NRO-like concession to secure Imran Khan’s release, which, he noted, falls under the judiciary’s purview. He accused the PTI of seeking to destabilize the economy and damage Pakistan’s foreign relations through chaos and unrest.
He also pointed to PTI’s history of vandalizing public property and creating anarchy, particularly referencing the events of May 9. Highlighting Islamabad’s normalcy, he stated that public spaces were functioning, while highways had been closed to ensure law and order, blaming PTI for the disruption.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, after an aerial inspection of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Attock, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining public safety and vowed strict action against “miscreants.” He mentioned arrests of protesters from Faizabad Interchange and accused PTI of attempting to disrupt the arrival route for Belarus’ president, scheduled to visit Islamabad.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned against violent protests, asserting zero tolerance for illegal demonstrations. He criticized PTI’s protest timing, which he claimed often coincides with visits from foreign dignitaries, and urged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s leadership to focus on addressing the province’s law and order issues.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal echoed these sentiments, condemning PTI’s protests as deliberate attempts to harm Pakistan’s prestige and undermine stability.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam also censured PTI for ignoring public issues, accusing the party of prioritizing demonstrations over addressing security concerns in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
