PM Shehbaz Sharif Vows to Prevent Repeat of PTI’s 2014 Sit-In, Condemns Recent Protests

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday denounced the recent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), likening them to the 2014 sit-in, and vowed that such actions would not be tolerated again. He firmly stated that the government would not allow a repeat of that “gory tale” under any circumstances.

“These incidents mirror the 2014-15 sit-in that continued for months, even after the announcement of the Chinese President’s visit to Pakistan, with no regard for the damage it caused to the country’s image and economy,” Sharif said during a federal cabinet meeting. “We will not allow this to happen again. This is my promise.”

The prime minister also highlighted the recent attack near Karachi’s airport, in which two Chinese engineers were killed and another injured, despite the government’s intensive efforts to ensure their safety. He updated the cabinet on his conversation with the Chinese ambassador and his visit to the Chinese embassy to offer condolences, assuring that the security of Chinese nationals in Pakistan remains a top priority.

Sharif criticized the PTI protests, emphasizing that they were timed just as important diplomatic visits were scheduled, including those of the Chinese Premier and a Saudi delegation, with significant agreements and MoUs worth $2 billion on the line.

During the meeting, the cabinet also observed Fateha for security personnel martyred in recent terrorist attacks. The prime minister thanked China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for their support in securing the IMF loan facility. He noted the success of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit, which led to agreements for Pakistan to export Halal meat and rice to Malaysia.

Sharif highlighted the government’s achievements, including reducing inflation from 32% to 6.9%, boosting exports and remittances, and stabilizing the stock market. He condemned any efforts to disrupt this progress for political gain, calling such actions a “conspiracy” against the country.

He also pointed to the government’s reform agenda, citing an increase in tax return filers, a broader tax base, and the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Additionally, he mentioned reductions in oil prices for the fifth time and relief packages worth Rs105 billion for power consumers in Punjab.

Sharif expressed concern over the role of the KP chief minister in leading protests, which included Afghan nationals and government officials. He noted that these protests involved aerial firing, resulting in the death of an Islamabad police officer.

Concluding, the prime minister stressed the importance of a stable and peaceful environment to attract foreign investment, and he thanked the IMF chief for supporting Pakistan’s reform efforts. He also acknowledged the sacrifices of security personnel, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and its funding sources.