Country cannot afford long march and sit-in: Rana Tanveer

Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain said Pakistan stands with the Saudi leadership for the protection of Saudi Arabia and the Holy Mosques, reported 24NewsHD TV. 

Speaking to the media in Lahore on Saturday, Rana Tanveer said the country’s political and military leadership had already delivered a clear message regarding national issues.

He termed the proposed long march by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami as untimely, saying the country could not afford another long march or sit-in at present.

The federal minister said political stability was the foundation of economic stability and stressed that national and public issues should be discussed in Parliament rather than on the streets.

Rana Tanveer also alleged that an external hand was involved in terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He condemned the recent terrorist incident in Kohat and urged the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to focus on countering terrorism instead of organizing a long march.

Commenting on political developments in Punjab, the minister said Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had come to Lahore for what he described as “circus politics.” He also said that the alleged kidnapping drama had been exposed before the public.

Rana Tanveer clarified that the aircraft in question belonged to the Punjab chief minister's office and was not owned by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally. He said an aircraft was meant for travelling and should not be used for political purposes.

He said the government would fulfil its promises to the people and praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for what he described as good work in the province.

Rana Tanveer also said Pakistan was progressing under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal General Asim Munir.

Recent reporting has also documented PTI preparations for a September 27 Islamabad long march, placing the minister's remarks in the context of ongoing political mobilization.