Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the need for bold decisions to move past protest politics and bring stability to Pakistan.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Shehbaz Sharif said, “We must choose between saving Pakistan or allowing disruptive sit-ins to continue.” His statement followed the PTI’s intense “do-or-die” protest, which caused clashes with law enforcement, roadblocks, and disruptions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
According to Pak Observer, the Prime Minister stressed that no one anticipated such a severe attack on Islamabad. He emphasized the importance of making collective and firm decisions, adding, “We have two choices: one leads to progress and prosperity, the other to chaos.”
Shehbaz commended law enforcement agencies, including the police and Rangers, for maintaining peace and order during the unrest. He highlighted the economic damage caused by the protests, noting how businesses in Islamabad and Rawalpindi came to a halt, resulting in massive financial losses.
“Our stock exchange, which recently surpassed 99,000 points, dropped over 4,000 points due to these riots,” he said. “The protests caused daily economic losses of Rs190 billion.”
He also pointed out how global organizations recognized Pakistan’s economic progress, calling it a “miracle” achieved through teamwork among key economic players. Reflecting on the PTI’s 2014 sit-in, Shehbaz recalled how it led to the cancellation of a critical visit from the Chinese president, further disrupting the country’s progress.
