Pakistan Government Warns Against PTI Protest

The Pakistani government has threatened to use 'full force' to prevent a planned protest by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on October 15, coinciding with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Islamabad. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif characterized the protest as an 'attack on the integrity of the country' and emphasized that the state would employ all resources to thwart what he termed an 'invasion' of the capital. This protest follows a previous one that turned violent, leading to damages estimated at Rs240 million. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern about the protest's potential to disrupt important international relations, particularly with nine heads of state scheduled to attend the SCO summit. The ministers have called for judicial intervention regarding PTI's actions, likening the protest to political terrorism. The situation remains tense as the government prepares for the summit while attempting to control the opposition's demonstrations.