ISLAMABAD: As the foreign dignitaries all set to arrive in Islamabad for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced holding another protest at the federal capital’s D-Chowk on October 15 — the same day crucial regional moot scheduled to begin.
The announcement came only a week after the embattled opposition party clashed with law enforcers in a bid to stage anti-government protest at D-Chowk, turning the entire federal capital into a curfew zone for two days.
In a statement, the Imran Khan-founded party’s political committee announced organising a demonstration on October 15 at D-Chowk.
A former ruling party’s spokesperson also announced that all district-level protests have been suspended in view of the forthcoming demonstration in the federal capital next week.
Slamming the opposition party’s protest call at a time when the heads of foreign countries are arriving in Islamabad for the SCO moot, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the PTI’s move is an attempt to destabilise the country.
Speaking to Geo News, Asif said that the PTI had staged a sit-in in 2014 and later committed May 9, 2023, mayhem after its party founder was ousted from power. He alleged that the former ruling party was a “stooge of international conspirators” against the country.
The defence czar said that the authorities would not let anyone make Pakistan hostage.
Reacting to the PTI’s announcement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Islamabad has been made fully safe and secure to welcome foreign delegations including 12 heads of the governments for the SCO conference. “Those who have a mindset to conspire against the country should better stay at home as no miscreant will be allowed to disrupt the SCO Conference in Islamabad,” the minister said while talking to the media. “The announcements do not make any difference as Islamabad has been made fully safe and secure,” he said while referring to the protest call. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the capital city today to review the arrangements being made for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). On the occasion, the prime minister was briefed on the reception arrangements for the guests attending the SCO Summit. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Information Minister Tarar and other key officials accompanied him. Naqvi and relevant authorities briefed the premier about the arrangements.