‘We will not let PTI repeat 2014 protest ahead of SCO summit,’ says PM Shehbaz

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear that he won’t allow the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, founded by Imran Khan, to replicate the chaos of its 2014 sit-in protest in Islamabad.

The PTI’s past actions have been blamed by the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for compromising Pakistan’s economy, particularly when Chinese President Xi Jinping canceled his visit to Islamabad due to the 126-day-long protest.

Recalling 2014 once more, he said that the Chinese president’s dates for the visit were fixed, but the PTI went ahead with its sit-in, disregarding its 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,” the PM said.

“Indeed, the Chinese (officials) are saddened. However, we have assured them that we have made complete security arrangements for the upcoming SCO summit.”

He also called PTI’s plans “nefarious” and said that it has been established without a shadow of a doubt 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.

As the PTI continues its protests in the federal capital, a major concern is the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) head of states’ summit on October 15 and 16.

Top officials from China, Russia, India, and other nations will attend the conference in Islamabad’s Red Zone, posing a significant security threat if protests are ongoing.

PM Shehbaz emphasized, “I will not allow the repeat of 2014… the conspiracy that took place. We will not allow this, we will not tolerate this at all.”

He criticized the PTI, stating they’ve only created chaos and divided the nation, failing to bring back money or end corruption as promised in their election manifesto.

The PTI protests aim to secure the “independence of the judiciary” and the release of Imran Khan. Party leaders insist they won’t back down unless Khan himself asks them to. With tensions rising, PM Shehbaz’s vow to maintain stability and security takes center stage.

Moreover, the PM  stressed that the economy is moving in the right direction. PM Shehbaz added that the army men are sacrificing their lives for the nation, and at the same time, Chinese nationals are being killed in Pakistan.

“Internal and external enemies united [to damage Pakistan]. We all know who finances them,” he said, adding: “God willing, Pakistan will move forward.”