LAHORE: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has urged the initiation of a national dialogue to defuse the intensifying political crisis in the country as tensions escalate between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the federal government.
Protest processions led by PTI have advanced from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa into Punjab and are steadily approaching Islamabad. The demonstrators are demanding the release of their leader, Imran Khan, alongside addressing other grievances.
In response, the government has heavily secured the capital by erecting barriers, causing widespread disruption. Daily life has been severely impacted not only in Islamabad and Rawalpindi but also across various cities in Punjab.
JI senior leader Liaqat Baloch highlighted the growing disillusionment among the public due to persistent political instability. “Both the ruling coalition and opposition have failed to instill public confidence through their approaches to governance and protest politics,” he remarked, adding that ineffective strategies have alienated citizens from political engagement.
Baloch also criticized the opposition for exacerbating economic challenges through ongoing protests. He called on the government to move beyond lamenting economic losses and focus on fostering political solutions.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb recently stated that the country incurs a staggering loss of Rs190 billion daily due to road closures and shutdowns prompted by opposition protests, compounding economic woes.
Addressing the deteriorating security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Parachinar, Baloch urged the provincial government to prioritize sustainable peace in the region. His remarks follow a deadly resurgence of tribal clashes in Kurram, which have claimed numerous lives.
The district, plagued by months of violent tribal feuds, witnessed a sharp escalation last week when gunmen ambushed civilian convoys, killing at least 44 people. Over 70 fatalities have been reported in the latest wave of violence, leaving the region in dire need of stability and reconciliation.
