Protests in Pakistan (Representative image)
Pakistan’s government has put heavy restrictions on protestors warning them that those seeking to march towards Islamabad with the government warning that disruptions could cost the economy around $400 million a day as separate marches by Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) and Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) put pressure on the capital. The warning comes ahead of a PTI nationwide protest and march towards Islamabad on September 27 seeking the release of party founder Imran Khan, who is incarcerated. Pakistan’s finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb separately warned that strikes, sit-ins, long marches and road closures could cause an estimated PKR 120 billion (over $400 million) loss to Pakistan’s economy every day. The services sector, including financial services, communication, retail, transport, wholesale and hospitality, could account for about PKR 86 billion of the daily loss, according to estimates prepared by the planning commission and finance ministry. Industry could lose PKR 25 billion and agriculture PKR 9 billion, while the government could face an additional revenue loss of around PKR 17 billion. Pakistan recorded $811 million in IT exports during July and August, he said, adding that previous internet disruptions during episodes of civil disobedience had affected IT exports by as much as 80%.
JI, meanwhile, has launched a protest campaign against the petroleum levy and has begun a march towards the federal capital.
Aurangzeb said the disruption would come at a time when businesses were already dealing with higher freight and insurance costs and supply-chain problems linked to tensions in the Middle East, including disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. He cited a recent Islamabad high court ruling that bars political parties from obstructing public roads and the movement of citizens. He also warned about the impact on IT exports. Authorities have begun preparing for the potential marches, with hundreds of containers placed at entry points to Islamabad. Police officials have also reviewed security arrangements at major entry and exit points and other sensitive locations.
Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday that the administration, police and interior ministry were clear that groups intending to cause disruption would not be allowed to reach the capital.
JI has been protesting since August 16 against the petroleum levy and says it wants the government to withdraw the levy.
The government has said it remains in contact with JI leadership and hopes to resolve the dispute through dialogue. Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
Emergency Services on High Alert Amid Security Concerns
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital are on high alert, with all emergency services, including trauma, ICU, operating theatres, blood banks, and ambulances, instructed to remain fully operational until September 30. This heightened state of readiness comes in response to potential unrest surrounding a planned march by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders.
Concerns have been amplified by remarks from PTI officials, notably a statement from a senior party leader suggesting intentions to turn Islamabad into ‘Somnath,’ which has raised alarms about possible violence. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Pakistan’s parliamentary affairs minister, emphasized the government’s duty to ensure law and order in the capital amidst these tensions.