Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has urged all the political parties to set aside their petty differences and join hands to steer the country out of economic quagmire.

Responding to points raised by Opposition Leader Shibli Faraz in the Senate today, he said we must work together with honesty and purpose to put Pakistan on path of development and progress.

Regarding PTI’s recent demonstration in Islamabad, Ishaq Dar said we have not learnt lesson from the past that issues cannot be resolved by force. He said the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed under the Constitution but the use of state resources, including vehicles or gas shells, is not permitted.

The Deputy Prime Minister further said nobody has any objection on peaceful protest, but there is video evidence, proving the presence of over three dozen Afghan nationals equipped with ammunition, batons, and slingshots in the front line of PTI’s onslaught on the Federal Capital. He questioned whether such a protest can be declared as a peaceful demonstration.

Ishaq Dar said 323 law enforcement personnel have been injured and dozens of them are in critical condition. He said PTI claimed the death of several of its workers in the protest, but it did not share any solid evidence to prove this.  He asked the PTI to share particulars of its workers, if any, that it claimed was killed in the protest. He assured that the government would ensure its verification.

Ishaq Dar, who is also leader of the House in Senate, said that neither any live ammunition was given to the law enforcement agencies, nor were they authorized to open direct firing against anyone.

He urged all the political parties to agree on a dedicated place to hold their protest demonstrations without disrupting the life and routine business of the people.

The Leader of House further said PTI sympathizers sitting in foreign countries should refrain from defaming the country and heads of its security agencies as such kind of behaviour is not desirable.