Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday urged the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to cancel its planned protest on October 15, coinciding with the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
In a press briefing alongside Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar, Dar criticized PTI for boycotting the All-Parties Conference (APC) meant to show solidarity with Palestine. “For the sake of national interest, the PTI should withdraw its protest scheduled for October 15,” Dar stated.
Dar accused PTI of hindering national progress, referencing their 2014 protest, which delayed the Chinese Premier’s visit to Pakistan by a year. “Now, the same party seems intent on disrupting the SCO summit,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the unrest that took place on May 9 last year, Dar said, “We all witnessed what happened on May 9. National interests must take precedence over political agendas.”
He emphasized the importance of the upcoming days, saying, “There will be ample time for political demonstrations, but the next three days are crucial for the country.”
Dar also discussed the visit of the Indian foreign minister, who will be attending as part of the SCO. He clarified, “The Indian foreign minister is visiting as a representative of the SCO. We have not received any request for a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. However, other countries have requested bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister.”
Dar highlighted Pakistan’s role as the host of this major event, stating, “It’s been 27 years since Pakistan last hosted such a significant forum. We are excited to take on this responsibility with enthusiasm and hospitality.”
Additionally, both Dar and Tarar reviewed preparations for the upcoming SCO summit, which are reportedly in the final stages. According to sources, representatives from various countries have already begun arriving for staff-level discussions. Ministerial-level negotiations are expected to start on October 15, with delegations arriving tomorrow for these high-level talks.
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