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The government was quick to criticise Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's announcement of a countrywide shutdown on December 16.
*Read more: Imran's Plan C: Paralyse major cities, paralyse Pakistan*
While federal ministers denounced the announcement as expected, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said Imran needs to explain his 'shutdown' plan further, and Jamaat-e-Islami reiterated its plea for talks.
Pervaiz Rasheed, State Minister for Information
“Imran Khan’s speech has added weight to the international press’ labeling of Pakistan as a failed state by 2015. Pakistan is on the way to failing thanks to Imran Khan. Who has given him the right to declare a shutdown of Pakistan's cities? Talks will not occur until this anti-state declaration is taken back.”
Abid Sher Ali, State Minister for Water and Power
“Imran Khan’s is a very non-democratic and non-political attitude. Plan A fell apart; Plan B also didn’t work out. Plan C will not work either — he needs to stop making these threats and just hold talks with us.”
“We are not telling Imran Khan to stop [his movement]… we can continue this till 2018 if he wishes, but the issue will end at a table [through discussion].He needs to use lawful means to negotiate.”
Wasay Jalil, MQM spokesperson
“What is the agenda of PTI? What does Imran Khan mean by a ‘shutdown’? Will it be an economic shutdown? Will it be a transport shutdown? Is it an awareness campaign? He needs to tell us what the agenda is and if this is a solution to the problem. Shutting down the whole country is not a solution.”
Ahsan Iqbal, State Minister for Planning and Development
“Imran Khan calls us a monarchy, but his thinking is that of a Shahenshah. We will engage them, but they must realise that the route taken by them will only cause harm to Pakistan. Declarations like this will only benefit the enemies of Pakistan.”
Sirajul Haq, Jamaat-e-Islami leader
JI Ameer Sirajul Haq says that a solution will be reached before December 16. “The best approach to resolve the issue is talks. I think the government itself has to resolve this problem… no other institute can provide a solution.”
Saad Rafique, State Minister for Railways
“Imran Khan wants to spread anarchy and bring down democracy and his only aim is to become PM even if the country is destroyed. We are in government — even we can’t say we can shut down a city, there is only one party in this country who can do that.”
“Pakistan is not a jungle it is a country with laws. His team pushes for talks and Imran Khan makes fun of his own team.”
“We never stopped him from his jalsas but if it affects the lives of people then it is the government’s responsibility to come in and stop that.”
Najam Sethi, senior journalist
“Imran has the power - the youth - to paralyse a city. You don’t needs 100,000 people to shut a city down. You need about 20,000 – Imran can amass that crowd. The December 16 date may be the anniversary of the Fall of Dhakka in 1971, but Imran’s selection of thise date may not have any link to that. There is no significance of the date coinciding.”
