Khawaja Asif warns PTI against attacking Islamabad

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf against attempting to attack Islamabad as the party prepares for a September 27 march to the federal capital, saying the city was not Somnath and that protesters would leave without gaining anything.

Speaking about PTI's political activities, Asif claimed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been under the party's rule for around 13 years, yet its leaders were still not satisfied with their record. He alleged that PTI was preparing to confront the federal government every other day instead of addressing problems inside the province. The minister said the party would have to give an account of its governance in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and questioned its repeated plans to move towards Islamabad. "Preparations for attacks on the federal government begin every few days," he said, according to Daily Times, adding that PTI would have to answer for its record. He questioned how many such attempts had already taken place.

Asif's remarks came after PTI leader Junaid Akbar reportedly said Islamabad would be turned into "Somnath" during the party's long march, according to Minute Mirror and Daily Times. Referring to historical attacks on the Somnath temple, the minister said, "Somnath was attacked 17 times. Count how many attacks have taken place and how many are left." "Islamabad is not Somnath," he said. He advised those planning to come to the capital to think carefully. "You will not come to take something; you will leave after giving something," Asif said.

The PTI has linked its protest to political demands and the release of its founder, Imran Khan. The party's planned march has heightened political tensions with the federal government. Daily Times reported that Akbar had "reportedly threatened" to turn Islamabad into Somnath, while Minute Mirror quoted Asif's direct remarks. The reports noted the exchange comes amid continuing tensions between PTI and the federal government.