Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has ruled out negotiations with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and said that the state will not be pressured into allowing the party to proceed with its planned protest.
Speaking on a private news channel, Tarar said the scale of the PTI protest was being exaggerated on media.
Responding to questions about containers placed on roads and the closure of schools amid the protest preparations, the minister said the measures were precautionary and intended to protect people’s lives and livelihoods.
“Neither do we have to talk to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf nor do we have to let them come. The state will not be blackmailed,” Tarar stressed.
He added that security measures should be viewed in the context of protecting the public rather than as an attempt to restrict ordinary activity.
Separately, PTI lawmaker Shafi Jan defended the party’s protest while appearing on another private news channel, saying it would not be called off through a telephone call.
“Jamaat-e-Islami ended its sit-in after just one phone call from the prime minister. This is a PTI sit-in and it will not end on any phone call,” Jan said.
Referring to a previous protest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jan said demonstrators had remained at the site while the provincial government had no connection with the protest.
He also criticised the impact of the ongoing demonstration on prices, saying that prices had risen since the protest began and that those taking part should consider its consequences.
The comments come amid preparations for the PTI protest, with authorities taking precautionary measures that include placing containers on roads and closing schools.
