PM Shehbaz urges 'strict measures' after PTI protest 'rattled economy'

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for taking “strict measures” after the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) put off its much-hyped protest in Islamabad that "rattled" the country’s economy.

"Tough decisions are required to rid the country of the dharna politics and bring stability," said the prime minister while addressing the federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday. 

PM Shehbaz's remarks come after PTI's much-hyped "do-or-die" protest, which saw clashes between the supporters of the party and the law enforcers, closure of roads and educational institutions, was postponed in the wee hours of Wednesday following crackdown.

Earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also asserted that life has returned to normal across Pakistan with roads cleared and mobile and internet services restored.

The latest protest episode was part of the PTI's months-long efforts to secure Imran Khan's release who has been behind bars in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail in various cases for more than a year now.

Speaking about the economic dent, the prime minister said that the businesses were shut while workers and shopkeepers were complaining.

"Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, faced a plunge of over 4,000 points yesterday due to the riots," he regretted. "The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily." 

PM Shehbaz then urged the need for taking tough decisions to rid the country of politics of agitation and ensure stability.

"We have to decide whether we save Pakistan or allow sit-ins to take place," the prime minister said while addressing the federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The premier said that there was no one even imagined to launch a "onslaught" of Islamabad before, stressing that tough decisions will have to be taken now through mutual consultation.

"We have two paths which we can take and it is obvious that we have to take the path of development and prosperity," said PM Shehbaz.

Speaking about the economic losses faced by the country due to violent protests, PM Shehbaz said that the businesses were shut as life in the twin cities — Islamabad and Rawalpindi — came to a halt.

"Our stock exchange, which had crossed 99,000, plunge by over 4,000 points yesterday due to the riots," he regretted. "The economy is facing a loss of Rs190 billion daily [due to the protests]."

Recalling the time when the Imran Khan-founded party had staged a sit-in in 2014, PM Shehbaz said the rioters caused violence for 126 days at a time when Chinese president had to visit the country. However, he added, the high-level visit was cancelled due to the PTI's sit-in.

He further highlighted that the rioters had once again tried to create chaos ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in the capital.

"There was a wave of concern among our guests whether to visit Pakistan or not," he said.

Shedding a light on the Belarusian president's visit to Pakistan, the prime minister said the two countries will sign agreements in January.

The PM said that had the courts given strict punishment to the criminals of May 9, we would not have seen this day. "We have to decide after much deliberation and think about which direction we need to take," he added.

Premier Shehbaz also said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is suffering from a rise of terrorism, adding that dozens of people were martyred in the Kurram clashes.

"They [KP government] should have [resolved] the Parachinar and Kurram matters but they attacked Islamabad using government resources," he added.

The prime minister further said that this was not a movement but a "sedition" and there is no room for sedition in politics. "This is a conspiracy and it must be ended at all costs," he added.

"We'll break hand that wants to damage Pakistan," PM Shehbaz stressed.ho