ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - On the heels of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s protest in the capital, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed an all-important session of the federal cabinet on Wednesday.
At the start of his address, he said, “this session is really important as the country cannot afford the violent politics now.”
The Prime Minister said the PTI had always used violent means to hold protests in the capital because the party's leader did not believe in democratic and political values.
He said the PTI was really bothered about why Pakistan avoided default and turned the economy in the positive direction. The protestors should understand that it was due to the tireless efforts of 16 months and not something which was sudden.
“Even our worst critics agree and praise that the economic direction is now set for the positive path,” he said. "Should we destroy all these things for their (PTI) sake?” the PM questioned.
The PM also said the military leadership has also been crucial in its support for the steps taken by the democratic government.
He also said the PTI’s manner of politics was really violent while adding the PML-N, PPP and JUI-F also protested in the capital in the past but not a plant was hurt in their venture.
Talking about the economic losses incurred by the country due to violent protests, he said that the businesses were shut as life in the twin cities — Islamabad and Rawalpindi — came to a standstill.
"Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, plunge by over 4,000 points yesterday due to the riots," he said. "The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily [due to the protests]," he claimed.
On the rise of terrorist incidents, he said, "Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is suffering from a rise of terrorism, adding that dozens of people were martyred in the Kurram clashes."
"The KP government should have resolved the Parachinar and Kurram matters but they came to Islamabad using government resources," the PM remarked.
The PM also mentioned the recent statement of Bushra Bibi regarding Saudi Arabia and remarked that nothing could be more anti-state than that vitriol.
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He acknowledged the efforts of Islamabad police, Rangers and security personnel who played a crucial role in maintaining peace and order situation in Islamabad.
The PM also praised the efforts of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar who also played the leading roles in maintaining peace in the capital.