Several political parties criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for planning a protest on the first day of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad. The government has promised to stop the party’s plans.

With foreign dignitaries arriving in Islamabad for the SCO summit, the PTI has announced a protest at D-Chowk in the capital on October 15.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the government would not allow the country to be disrupted while the SCO leaders were meeting.

Referring to past events, Asif mentioned the 2014 sit-in and the May 9 incident, accusing the PTI of being involved in destabilizing the country as part of international plots.

Khawaja Asif criticized the PTI for attacking the government, emphasizing that power is not inherited but easily lost. He also mentioned that the PTI founder incited violence after losing power.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman criticized the PTI’s decision to protest on October 15, suggesting that it showed the party prioritized itself over Pakistan’s reputation and security during a major international event.

Sherry Rehman added that the PTI’s actions were hindering Pakistan’s economic progress, referencing the cyphergate issue and a letter sent to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).