Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for a comprehensive strategy to address the repeated protests and perceived destabilizing activities of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), signaling a potential ban on the party. In a high-level meeting attended by senior military and civil leadership, including Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, the prime minister urged decisive measures to prevent what he described as PTI’s continued attempts to disrupt peace and economic stability in Pakistan.
The remarks followed the passage of a resolution in the Balochistan Assembly calling for the PTI’s ban, citing its “anti-Pakistan” actions. A similar resolution was submitted in the Punjab Assembly. The prime minister harshly criticized the PTI’s protests, including the recent march on Islamabad, which he claims caused significant economic losses, estimated at Rs190 billion per day.
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Shehbaz Sharif referred to PTI as “Tehreek-e-Takhreeb” (Insurgency Movement), accusing the party of undermining Pakistan’s progress by disrupting economic stability, international relations, and foreign investments. He highlighted that PTI’s prolonged protests had negatively impacted key areas such as inflation reduction, policy rate management, and investment attraction from friendly nations. He further criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, led by PTI, for allegedly misusing public resources to support anti-government protests.
During the meeting, the prime minister set up a task force, chaired by Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, to identify individuals involved in recent violent incidents in Islamabad and ensure strict legal actions are taken against them. Additionally, plans were announced for the creation of a Federal Riot-Control Force and a Federal Forensic Lab to enhance law enforcement capabilities and prevent future violence. The Islamabad Safe City project will also be modernized to bolster security efforts.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan must act firmly to protect its peace and prosperity, warning that failing to address the PTI’s activities would have serious long-term consequences for the country.
